Paying the SEVIS Fee is a crucial step for international students applying for a study visa to the United States. While the process is relatively straightforward for students outside of Africa, it can be challenging for those paying from African countries. One of the primary difficulties is that debit and credit cards often do not work for SEVIS fee payments from Africa. Additionally, other payment options can be confusing, burdensome, and expensive.
Would you like to know more about SEVIS and the available payment options? This article explains what SEVIS is, the requirements for SEVIS fee payment, and the easiest and fastest way to pay your SEVIS Fee from Africa using your local currency.
Ready to learn? Scroll down to the end.
SEVIS Fee Explained
The SEVIS Fee, also known as the I-901 SEVIS Fee, is separate from the Visa fee and is paid by international students applying for a visa to the United States. This fee should be paid only after a prospective student has been issued the I-20 or DS-2019 Form.
Information Required for SEVIS Fee Payment
To pay the SEVIS fee, you must submit the following details:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Country of birth
- Country of citizenship
- School Code
Please double-check these details to avoid mistakes that might affect your visa application.
How Much is the SEVIS Fee?
The SEVIS Fee varies depending on the type of visa. Applicants for F-1 or M-1 visas must pay a standard fee of $350, while J-1 visa applicants pay a fee of $220. Additionally, there is a processing fee, which varies based on the payment platform used. It is crucial to pay your SEVIS fee at least 3 business days before your visa interview.
How to Pay the SEVIS Fee
There are various options for paying the SEVIS fee with your local currency from Africa. However, many of these options are complicated and have high transaction costs. The easiest, quickest, and cheapest way to pay your SEVIS fee from Africa is through Sevpay. Sevpay offers several payment packages, including a free SEVIS Fee payment package that allows users to pay only the standard fee without additional costs.
Paying SEVIS Fee Using Sevpay
Since its inception, Sevpay has simplified the SEVIS fee payment process for many international students from Africa. Sevpay allows prospective students to pay the SEVIS fee online using their local currencies, including Naira for Nigeria, Cedis for Ghana, Dalasi for Gambia, Kenyan Shilling for Kenya, and CFA Franc for Cameroon.
Follow these steps to make your SEVIS Fee payment using Sevpay:
- Visit https://sevpay.us
- Select the payment package that suits your budget.
- Provide all necessary information, such as your Name, Email address, and SEVIS ID, in the provided form.
- Make your SEVIS Fee payment using your preferred payment option.
Paying SEVIS Fee Using Western Union Quick Pay
Another option for students from Africa is Western Union Quick Pay. This involves going to a Western Union agent and making the payment through them. First, fill out the ‘Form I-901’ online at www.fmjfee.com. Choose the option to pay by check or money order, print the coupon, and take it to a Western Union agent. Inform the agent that you want to pay the SEVIS Fee. Fill out the Quick Collect/Quick Pay Form and pay the equivalent fee in your local currency. The agent will process your payment, and you can confirm it at www.fmjfee.com.
Final Words
The inability to use credit and debit cards for SEVIS payments has made the process challenging for international students from Africa. Many are left with two major options: Western Union and Sevpay. Unfortunately, paying with Western Union can be inconvenient and time-consuming, requiring the printing of coupons and visiting an agent. In contrast, Sevpay offers a faster, online, and paperless option. Don't delay any further – check out Sevpay and complete your SEVIS fee payment instantly from the comfort of your home.