Guide
J-1 Visa SEVIS Fee Guide for Ghanaian Exchange Visitors
If you're a Ghanaian exchange visitor heading to the United States on a J-1 visa, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before your visa interview. This guide covers everything you need to know: the fee amount, how to pay from Ghana, and what to bring to the U.S. Embassy in Accra.
What is the J-1 SEVIS fee?
The J-1 SEVIS fee is a mandatory $220 USD payment required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for all exchange visitors entering the United States on a J-1 visa. This includes participants in programs such as:
- • Research scholars and professors
- • Au pairs and camp counselors
- • Work and travel participants
- • Government visitors and interns
- • Short-term scholars
J-1 vs F-1: key differences
The J-1 visa journey from Ghana
Here's the typical timeline for Ghanaian exchange visitors:
Receive your DS-2019
Your sponsoring organization sends you a DS-2019 form. This contains your SEVIS ID (starts with N).
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee ($220)
Pay the $220 SEVIS fee before your visa interview. Use SevisGo to pay in Ghana Cedis with mobile money or card.
Complete DS-160
Fill out 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 DS-2019, SEVIS receipt, DS-160 confirmation, passport, and all supporting documents.
Where to find your SEVIS ID on DS-2019
Your SEVIS ID is located on your DS-2019 form, in the upper portion of the document. It starts with the letter Nfollowed by 10 digits (e.g., N0012345678). This is the same ID you'll enter when creating your application on SevisGo and when generating your SEVIS coupon on fmjfee.com.
How to pay the J-1 SEVIS fee from Ghana
The official SEVIS payment website (fmjfee.com) doesn't accept most Ghanaian bank cards. SevisGo solves this by letting you pay in Ghana Cedis using:
After you pay, our US-based team processes your SEVIS fee on fmjfee.com and uploads your official I-901 receipt to your SevisGo dashboard. See our pricing pagefor today's GHS rate.
When to pay
Pay your SEVIS fee as soon as you receive your DS-2019. The payment must be reflected in the SEVIS system before your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy in Accra.
- • At least 5 days before your visa interview for Standard processing
- • SevisGo Express processes within 30 hours if your interview is soon
- • Don't wait until the last minute. Embassy slots fill up fast.
What to bring to your J-1 visa interview
Common J-1 SEVIS fee mistakes
Confusing the fee amount
J-1 exchange visitors pay $220 USD, not $350. The $350 fee is for F-1/M-1 students only.
Using the wrong form
J-1 participants use the DS-2019, not the I-20. Make sure your SEVIS ID matches your DS-2019.
Paying too late
Pay immediately after receiving your DS-2019. SevisGo Express processes within 30 hours.
Not printing the receipt
Download and print your I-901 receipt from SevisGo. The embassy requires it at your interview.
J-1 SEVIS fee exemptions
A small number of J-1 categories are exempt from paying the SEVIS fee:
- • Participants in programs sponsored by the U.S. federal government
- • Participants in programs funded by U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Most Ghanaian exchange visitors are not exemptand must pay the $220 fee. If you're unsure, check with your sponsor organization.
Related guides
Ready to pay your J-1 SEVIS fee?
Pay $220 in Ghana Cedis. Express: 30 hours, Standard: 3-5 days.