Once a US school admits you and issues a Form I-20, two federal fees apply to every F-1 student regardless of school. They are paid to the US government, not to the university, and neither one is refunded if the visa is refused.
| Fee | When | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| I-901 SEVIS fee (F-1) ICE: I-901 SEVIS Fee | After you receive the I-20, before the visa interview | $350 |
| Nonimmigrant visa application fee (F-1, also called the MRV fee) US Embassy (State Department): F and M visa fees | Before the visa interview | $185 |
| Federal fees every F-1 applicant pays | $535 |
Both amounts checked 2 Nov 2026. The ICE page lists $350 for F and M applicants (J exchange visitors pay $220). The State Department's US Embassy page for F and M student visas says each applicant pays a non-refundable processing (MRV) fee of US$185. The central Fees for Visa Services page blocked automated reads on that date.
Visa integrity fee. A 2025 federal law (8 U.S.C. 1806) created a visa integrity fee of at least $250, charged when a visa is issued and adjusted for inflation each year. Boston University's international student office reported in May 2026 that some consulates had started collecting it at $250 (BU ISSO; statute at uscode.house.gov). This site has not confirmed the amount on a State Department fee page, so it is left out of the total above. Check with the embassy or consulate where you will apply.
Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee. Some nationalities pay an extra fee when the visa is issued. The State Department's student visa page lets you look up your country.
School fees after admission. Many schools ask for an enrollment deposit, an international student fee or an orientation fee. Where a school publishes these centrally, the fee table shows them in the deposit column. Most programs set deposits themselves, so check your admission letter.
An applicant who applies to five programs at the median international application fee in this table, then accepts one offer, pays five application fees plus $535 in federal fees before boarding a plane. Test score reports, transcript evaluations and travel come on top.
