My SEVIS Fee Payment Failed: What to Do Next

You're ready to submit your I-901 SEVIS Fee, you enter your details, and then... the payment fails. It's a frustrating experience, but it's often fixable. Here’s what to do.

Step 1: Check the Error Message

Don't ignore the error message on the screen. It often provides the biggest clue. Common errors include:

• "Do Not Honor" or "Transaction Not Permitted": This is usually from your bank. Your bank may have blocked the international transaction for security reasons.
• "Insufficient Funds": The account does not have enough money to cover the fee. Remember to account for currency conversion rates.
• "Invalid Card Details": You may have made a typo in the card number, expiration date, or CVV.

Step 2: Contact Your Bank Immediately

If the error is "Do Not Honor" or seems like a security block, the fastest solution is to call your bank's customer service line. Inform them that you are trying to make an international payment to a international US-bound payment and ask them to approve the transaction. Then, try the payment again.

Step 3: Use a Service That Handles It

This is precisely the problem SEVISmate was designed to solve. Many banks in Africa and other regions are not equipped to handle these specific types of U.S. dollar transactions smoothly. This can lead to repeated failures and immense stress.

By using SEVISmate, you bypass these issues entirely. We handle the whole thing for you, so you can pay using local payment methods you know and trust. Our system is designed for a high success rate, giving you peace of mind.