F-1 Visa Costs: Necessary Fees and Possible Extras
- Most F-1 students pay $535 in required government fees: $350 for SEVIS and $185 for Form DS-160.
- Additional costs—like school fees, deposits, shipping, photos, and appointment services—vary widely by institution and country.
- If you are changing or extending F-1 status inside the U.S., you file Form I-539 and pay a different fee structure.
The cost to get an F-1 student visa is likely between $600 and $2,000. That includes $535 in government filing fees plus up to $1,000 in additional fees. Then you need to pay for health insurance, which could potentially cost $500 to $3,000 per year.
F-1 visa costs at a glance
- SEVIS I-901: $350
- Application/DS-160 (MRV): $185
- Additional fees: Anywhere from $25 to $1,000 for reciprocity fees, school fees, shipping, photos, etc.
- Health insurance: Potentially $500 to $3,000 or more per year
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Government fees for an F-1 visa
There are two main fees the government requires for an F-1 visa: a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee of $350 and an application fee of $185.
SEVIS fee
What it is: SEVIS is the federal system used to track F-1 students’ status and school reporting while they’re in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) collects the I-901 fee to support this program.
How much it costs: The I-901 SEVIS fee is $350 as of February 2026.
Who needs to pay it: The fee is paid by a student who receives a new SEVIS ID, so students typically pay it once per SEVIS record. If a student later receives a new SEVIS ID—such as after completing a program and starting a new program of study—they would pay the fee again.
When to pay: Pay the SEVIS fee after you receive your Form I-20, before your visa interview. You will need your SEVIS ID from the I-20 to make the payment.
How to pay: The SEVIS fee is paid online through the official I-901 payment site, FMJFee.com. Save your payment confirmation, as consulates and schools may ask for it.
Visa application fee
What it is: The DS-160 is the Department of State’s online nonimmigrant visa application form. Consular officers decide whether you qualify for an F-1 visa based on details in the DS-160 you submitted and your interview. This fee is sometimes referred to as the MRV fee, which stands for machine-readable visa fee.
How much it costs: As of February 2026, it costs $185 to submit an F-1 application using Form DS-160. That same fee applies to both F and M student visas, as well as exchange visitor J visas.
Who needs to pay it: Just about all F-1 applicants, including anyone renewing their F-1, must pay this nonimmigrant visa application processing fee. There is a different fee if you are extending or changing status.
When to pay: The visa application fee is typically paid before you can schedule your F-1 interview, but timing varies for each U.S. embassy and consulate.
How to pay: Payment is usually made online, via bank transfer, or in person. However, payment methods vary by country and by U.S. embassy or consulate. An embassy’s website usually explains the payment options for visa fees.
Other potential F-1 visa fees
Other fees may apply to a student visa.
Visa issuance fee
A visa issuance fee, also called a reciprocity fee, doesn’t usually affect F-1 visa applicants, but it depends on your country of nationality. The State Department publishes reciprocity tables, where you can check potential fees for your country. If there is a fee, it would be paid after a visa is approved.
Biometrics fee
Biometrics, including fingerprints, are usually collected at the interview or through a visa application center, depending on the country. There typically isn’t a separate U.S. government biometrics fee for an F-1 visa, but some embassies or consulates offer optional paid services. Consult the specific instructions for the embassy in your country for details about how they collect biometrics.
School-related fees
Schools sometimes require fees that are separate from U.S. government fees. These can include:
- Tuition deposits, which are sometimes required to accept admission or to issue an I-20 form
- SEVIS or I-20 processing fees, which are administrative fees some schools charge for issuing documents
- International student services fees, such as for orientation, compliance support, etc.
- F-1 visa health insurance
How much they cost: These vary widely by school. You could pay up to a few hundred dollars for I-20/document processing fees. Tuition deposits can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the program and whether it’s applied to tuition.
Where to find estimates: Check the website for your school’s admissions or international student office for more details on additional fees for international students. Schools also might publish a cost of attendance webpage that breaks down tuition, fees, and expected living expenses.
| ⚠️ How to check the latest fees: USCIS and State Department fees can change. Confirm the current fees through USCIS’s Fee Calculator or Fee Schedule. The State Department publishes fees on its Fees for Visa Services page. |
F-1 costs once you have your visa
After you receive an F-1 student visa, there are additional costs in the future if you need to extend or renew your visa.
Extending and renewing your F-1 visa
Students who were admitted to attend high school in the U.S. may file a Form I-539 to extend their F-1 status. The fee is $420 to file online or $470 to file with a paper form.
Renewing an F-1 visa is typically done by filing a new DS-160, and the fee is $185, the same as filing an initial DS-160.
Filing a change of status
If you’re already in the U.S. on another visa and want to file a change of status to an F-1 student visa, you’ll file Form I-539 (also used to extend an F-1). That form costs $420 to file online or $470 to file a paper form by mail.
Premium processing isn’t available for initial F-1 visa applications, but it is an option for a change of status. If you choose this option, USCIS will decide on your application within 30 business days. The fee is $1,965 as of March 1, 2026.
| 💡 Changing to or from an F-1 visa: After your F-1 academic program, you may be able to work for one to three years with OPT or STEM OPT. You may also be eligible to get a work visa, such as an O-1. It’s also possible to go back to school after working, like by changing from an H-1B to an F-1. |
Preparing for F-1 visa costs
The costs for an F-1 student visa are a mix of fixed government fees, country-specific fees, and school and logistics costs that vary widely. To avoid big surprises, you can build your budget using the costs of government fees plus costs from your specific school or program.
For guidance tailored to your specific situation and your immigration goals, including work or travel plans once your schooling is finished, request a free consultation with one of Manifest’s immigration lawyers.
F-1 visa cost FAQs
Is the $100,000 fee applicable to F-1 students?
No, there is no $100,000 fee for an F-1 student visa. A new H-1B visa fee was created in 2025, but it doesn’t apply to student visas.
Do I have to pay the SEVIS fee every year?
If you’re continuing your educational program, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again.
Are F-1 fees refundable if my visa is denied?
Both the SEVIS fee and the DS-160 fee are non-refundable if a visa is denied.
