Guide
F-1 Visa SEVIS Fee Guide for Ghanaian Students
Getting an F-1 student visa to study in the US is a multi-step process. This guide covers the SEVIS fee portion — what it is, when to pay, and how to handle it from Ghana.
The journey from admission to visa
Here's the typical timeline for Ghanaian students after receiving a U.S. university admission:
Receive your I-20
Your school sends you a Form I-20 after admission. This document contains your SEVIS ID (starts with N).
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
Pay the $350 SEVIS fee. This must be done before your visa interview. Use SevisGo to pay in Cedis.
Fill out DS-160
Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160) on the U.S. Embassy website.
Schedule your visa interview
Book an appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Accra through ustraveldocs.com.
Attend your visa interview
Bring your I-20, SEVIS receipt, DS-160 confirmation, passport, financial documents, and admission letter.
F-1 SEVIS fee: $350
The F-1 visa SEVIS fee is $350 USD. This fee applies to all F-1 and M-1 visa applicants. It's paid once and is valid for as long as your SEVIS record remains active (even if you change schools).
With SevisGo, you pay the equivalent in Ghana Cedis at our daily exchange rate, plus a flat service fee. See our pricing pagefor today's rate.
Where to find your SEVIS ID
Your SEVIS ID is on your I-20 form, in the top left area. It starts with the letter Nfollowed by 10 digits (e.g., N0012345678). You'll need this ID when creating your application on SevisGo and when generating your SEVIS coupon on fmjfee.com.
When to pay
Pay your SEVIS fee as soon as you receive your I-20. The payment must be processed and reflected in the SEVIS system before your visa interview. We recommend:
- • At least 5 days before your visa interview
- • Immediately if your interview is coming up — SevisGo processes within 24 hours
- • Don't wait until the last minute — embassy slots fill up fast
What documents to bring to your visa interview
Common mistakes to avoid
Paying too late
Pay your SEVIS fee immediately after receiving your I-20. Don't wait for your interview date.
Wrong SEVIS ID
Double-check your SEVIS ID (starts with N) matches your I-20 exactly. One wrong digit means your payment won't be linked.
Not printing the receipt
Download and print your I-901 receipt from your SevisGo dashboard. The embassy needs to see it.
Using an old I-20
If your school issued a new I-20, make sure the SEVIS ID matches the one you used for payment.
Ready to pay your F-1 SEVIS fee?
Pay $350 in Ghana Cedis. Get your receipt in 24 hours or less.