Visa Fee for US: A Traveler's Guide to What to Expect and How to Pay

Traveling to the United States is an exciting adventure, but the visa process can be daunting. As a traveler, I was unsure about the costs involved in obtaining a US visa and what payment options were available. Here’s a breakdown of the fees for nonimmigrant visas, immigrant visas, diversity visas, and reciprocity fees, along with information on how to pay and when fees might not be required.

US visa fees can vary depending on the type of visa you’re applying for and your country of origin. It's important to note the recent updates in the visa fee structure, including an increase in nonimmigrant visa application processing fees by the U.S. Department of State. Here are the main categories:

• Nonimmigrant Visa Fees: Fees for temporary stays in the US, such as for tourism, work, or study.

• Immigrant Visa Fees: Fees for those planning to live permanently in the US.

• Diversity Visa Fees: Fees for the visa lottery, offering a chance to become a permanent resident.

• Reciprocity Fees: Additional costs based on agreements between the US and other countries.

US Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fees

Nonimmigrant visas include various categories, each with its own application fee. These fees, known as the visa application fee, are split into two types: non-petition-based and petition-based. Non-petition-based visas do not require an employer or other sponsor, while petition-based visas do. It's important to note that the visa application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of whether a visa is issued or not.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs for different visa types (Note: All costs on this page are in US dollars):

• Non-petition-based Visas: $185. This category includes visitor visas for tourism, business, or medical treatment purposes.

• Petition-based Visas: $205. This category includes petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers/employment or trainees, intracompany transferees, persons with extraordinary ability, athletes, artists, and entertainers, international cultural exchange, and religious workers.

• E Visas: $315

• K Visas: $265

Non-petition-based visas include tourist visas, student visas, and transit visas. Petition-based visas include work visas for temporary workers and fiancé visas.

US Immigrant Visa Fees

Immigrant visas are for those planning to live and work in the US permanently. The fees for these visas include petition fees and processing fees related to immigration services. These fees are crucial for the processing of permanent immigration to the United States, covering various expenses such as visa application processing fees, diversity visa lottery fees, and affidavit of support review fees. The Department of Homeland Security's United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) plays a significant role in processing these fees, distinguishing between fees collected by the Department of State and those collected by USCIS.

Petition Type

• Form I-130 (Immigrant Petition for Relatives): $675

• Form I-600 or Form I-800 (Orphan Immediate Relative Petition): $775

• Affidavit of Support: $120

Processing fees vary depending on the visa type:

• Immediate Relative or Family Preference Immigration: $325

• Employment-Based Immigration: $345

• Other Immigration Applications: $205

• K Visa (Fiancé or Spouse): $265

US Diversity Visa Fees

The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery offers a chance to obtain an immigrant visa by chance. The application fee for this visa is $330, payable before submitting the online application.

How to Pay US Visa Fees

Most US visa fees must be paid at the embassy or consulate where you apply. Payment methods vary, but you can generally pay with cash or a debit/credit card. Personal checks are usually not accepted. Some countries allow online payment, while others require in-person payment during your visa interview. Additionally, all applicants covered under a blanket petition for L status must pay a Fraud Prevention and Detection fee of US $500 as part of the visa application process. This detection fee is specifically for fraud prevention and detection and is paid to the embassy's cashier either on the day of the interview or as per the scheduled appointment.

When Are Visa Fees Not Required?

In some cases, visa fees are waived, including:

• For certain diplomatic and government-related visas.

• When replacing a faulty machine-readable visa due to errors.

• For international agreement participants, such as UN staff.

• For humanitarian or charity-related travel.

• For relatives of US government employees killed in the line of duty.

These situations are rare, but if you believe you might qualify, check with the embassy or consulate for specific guidelines.

Additionally, participants in a government-sponsored program with codes beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-7 may also be exempt from certain visa fees.

As you plan your US trip, keep in mind that visa fees can add up quickly. Make sure to check the latest fee schedules and confirm payment methods with the embassy or consulate in your country to avoid any surprises.