In order to enter the United States for study, you must obtain the F-1 student visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. An F-1 student visa gives you permission to enter and study in the United States.

Steps to Apply for an F-1 Visa 

  1. Pay the SEVIS Fee (I-901 Fee) of $350 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at www.fmjfee.com
  2. Sign your Form I-20 on page 1 in blue ink
  3. Read the rules on page 3
  4. Complete the Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). Print the application and bring it to your visa interview.
  5. Schedule your visa interview at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Check at www.usembassy.gov to see what additional documents or payment you will need to bring to your interview. Documents you may need to bring may include bank statements, letter of admission, addidtional forms, etc.

    IMPORTANT: Receiving a PCC I-20 does not guarantee that you will receive an F-1 visa from the U.S. Consulate
  6. Bring your signed PCC I-20, Form DS-160 visa application barcode, and/or other required documents stated by the U.S. Consulate to your visa interview.

What is the SEVIS I-901 Fee?

The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires the payment of the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 from international students seeking an F-1 or J-1 visa. Remember that paying the SEVIS fee is only the first step of the visa application process. Complete this before your visa interview to avoid problems when entering the United States. 

Pay the SEVIS fee before your visa interview to avoid problems when entering the United States. 

Pay the SEVIS Fee

More Info on the SEVIS Fee


Frequently Asked Questions

How soon can I apply for an F-1 visa?

After reviewing your PCC I-20, you should apply for your F-1 visa immediately after.

U.S. Consulates may issue an F-1 visa up to 365 days before the "program start date" listed on your I-20. The F-1 visa will not be active, however, before 120 days before your program start date.

How long will it take to get my F-1 visa? 

Check the U.S. Consulate website for an approximate appointment wait times. 

If approved for an F-1 visa, it may take at least 7 work days to complete administrative processing or social media review of your accounts.  

What happens if my visa is refused or is not approved? 

If you are refused a visa, you may receive a document from the U.S. Consulate explaining the reason for the refusal. You can oversome a visa refusal but know that preparation and true intent to study in the United States as a student is key.

You may wish to do the following:

  • Recall the questions you were asked by the Visa Officer
  • Write down the responses you gave during your interview
  • Schedule an appointment with an Admissions Advisor to discuss the visa refusal
  • Delay, or defer your admissions and I-20 to the next term if you plan to apply for a visa again

When can I enter the United States?
After you receive your F-1 visa, you will be allowed to enter the United States 30 days before the program start date listed in your Form I-20. The exact date when you can enter the U.S. in your Form I-20 under the "Earliest Admission Date".

Who must pay the SEVIS Fee? 

You must pay the SEVIS fee if you are a student: 

  • Applying for a visa as a new student at PCC
  • Exiting and re-entering the United States on a new PCC I-20, either as an incoming, continuing or returning student
  • Applying to change your status to F-1 from another nonimmigrant status while in the United States
  • Filing for reinstatement after being out of status for more than five (5) months while in the United States
  • Traveling to the United States in F-1 status as a Canadian citizen

How long is the SEVIS fee valid?

The SEVIS fee is valid for 12 months from time of payment. If you have not secured an F-1 visa after 12 months of paying the SEVIS fee and your admissions has been deferred to a future term, you will receive a new PCC I-20 and will need to pay the SEVIS fee again. 

How do I pay the SEVIS fee? 

The SEVIS fee must be paid before your F-1 visa interview at www.fmjfee.com. Paying by credit card is the fastest option but you can also pay by check, money order or Western Union Quick Pay. 

NOTICE: CAMEROON, GHANA, KENYA, NIGERIA & GAMBIA
If you are of country of citizenship or country of birth from Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Gambia, you must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pay, or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank. More information here.

Is the SEVIS fee transferable? 

If you paid the SEVIS fee for another school's I-20, you may request a transfer of your SEVIS fee as long as you have not entered the United States.