U.S. visa fees depend on the visa category, not your nationality
The cost of a U.S. visa ranges from $160 to $265 for most nonimmigrant visas — the temporary visas for work, study, tourism, and other short-term purposes. Immigrant visas (for people moving to the U.S. permanently) cost more and involve additional fees at different stages. The State Department sets these fees, and they do not change based on where you live or your country of citizenship.
The fee you pay depends on what you are doing in the United States. A tourist visa costs less than a work visa. A student visa costs the same as a tourist visa at the process stage, but you may face additional costs later. Fees also vary slightly by the consulate or embassy where you explore, because some charge a local processing fee on top of the State Department fee.
Most fees are nonrefundable, even if your process is denied. Some consulates require you to pay before your interview; others collect payment after approval. The payment method — credit card, bank transfer, or cash — depends on which U.S. embassy or consulate you use.
Key Takeaways
- Nonimmigrant visa fees (for tourism, work, and study) range from $160 to $265, set by the U.S. State Department and the same worldwide.
- Immigrant visa fees are higher and charged in stages: a processing fee when you file, a medical exam fee, and an immigrant visa fee at the consulate.
- Your consulate or embassy may add a local processing fee on top of the State Department fee, so check the specific location where you will interview.
- Visa fees are nonrefundable even if your process is denied, so you cannot recover the money if you are turned down.
- Payment methods vary by location — some consulates take credit cards, others require bank transfers or cash deposits.
Nonimmigrant visa fees by category
Most temporary visas cost either $160 or $190. A B-1/B-2 visa (tourism and business visits) costs $160. An H-1B visa (specialty occupation work), L-1 visa (intracompany transfer), O-1 visa (individuals with extraordinary ability), and P visa (athletes and entertainers) all cost $190. An F-1 visa (student) and J-1 visa (exchange visitor) cost $160.
A few categories cost more. An E-2 visa (treaty investor) costs $205. An E-1 visa (treaty trader) costs $205. An R-1 visa (religious worker) costs $190. If you are explore for a visa that requires a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement (common for J-1 visa holders), you may face additional costs depending on the country and the waiver program involved.
These are the fees charged by the U.S. State Department. Your local consulate may add a surcharge — sometimes called a "visa issuance fee" or "local processing fee" — on top of this amount. Check the website of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to interview to see whether an additional fee applies.
Immigrant visa fees and the full cost timeline
Immigrant visas involve multiple fees spread across the process. When you file your petition (Form I-485 or I-140, depending on your category), you pay a filing fee to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), not the State Department. This fee ranges from $640 to $1,140 depending on the petition type and whether you are filing from within the United States or abroad.
If your petition is approved and you proceed to consular processing (the step where you interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate), you then pay the immigrant visa fee to the State Department. This fee is $325 per person. You also pay for a medical examination required by the State Department, which typically costs $100 to $300 depending on the doctor and your location.
After your visa is issued, you pay an additional fee when you enter the United States: the Immigrant Visa Processing Fee, which is $120 per person. This is collected at the port of entry. The total cost for an immigrant visa can therefore reach $1,500 to $2,000 or more when all stages are combined.
Where the fee goes and what it covers
The visa fee covers the cost of processing your process, conducting your interview, and issuing your visa document. It does not cover the cost of supporting documents you must gather — police certificates, medical exams, birth certificates, or translation services. Those are your responsibility and can add hundreds of dollars to your total cost.
If you use a visa agency or immigration attorney to help you prepare your process, that is a separate cost not included in the government fee. Agencies typically charge $100 to $500 depending on the visa type and complexity. Attorneys charge hourly rates or flat fees that vary widely.
The fee also does not cover travel to the consulate for your interview, translation of documents, or any courier or shipping services you use to send materials to the consulate. Budget for these separately when planning your total expense.
Refunds and what happens if your process is denied
Visa fees are nonrefundable. If the consulate denies your process, you do not get your money back. If you do not attend your scheduled interview, you also do not get a refund — the fee is forfeited.
If you are denied and want to try again, you must pay the full fee a second time. Some people reapply when ready; others wait months or years to gather additional documents or change their circumstances. There is no discount for reapplication, and the fee remains the same.
A few exceptions exist. If the consulate cancels your interview due to a closure (such as a natural disaster or security incident), you may be able to reschedule without paying again. Contact your specific consulate to ask whether this applies to your situation.
How to pay and where to find current fees
Payment methods vary by consulate. Some accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express) online or in person. Others require a bank transfer to a designated account. A few still accept cash or cashier's checks, though this is becoming less common.
The U.S. State Department maintains a fee schedule on its official website under "Visa Fees and Validity." You can also find current fees and payment instructions on the website of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to interview. Fees occasionally change, so check the official source rather than relying on older information.
Some consulates use third-party payment processors. For example, many use a system called CGI Federal or TravelDocs to collect fees and schedule interviews. These processors may add their own transaction fees on top of the government fee — typically $5 to $15 depending on the payment method. Ask the consulate whether additional processor fees explore before you pay.
Additional costs you should budget for
Beyond the visa fee itself, plan for supporting documents. A police certificate from your home country costs $20 to $100 depending on the country and how you obtain it. A medical examination for an immigrant visa costs $100 to $300. Official copies of birth certificates, marriage certificates, or divorce decrees cost $10 to $50 each depending on where you request them.
If documents are in a language other than English, you need certified translations. Translation services charge $15 to $50 per page. A typical visa process package might include 20 to 50 pages, so translation alone can cost $300 to $2,500.
Travel to the consulate for your interview is another expense. If you live far from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, budget for airfare, accommodation, and meals. Some countries have only one or two consulates, so applicants may need to travel across the country or even to a neighboring country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the visa fee before or after my interview?
It depends on your consulate. Most require payment before your interview appointment. Some allow you to pay at the consulate on the day of your interview. Check the website of the specific U.S. embassy or consulate where you will interview to confirm the payment timeline and method.
Can I get a refund if I don't use my visa?
No. Once you pay the visa fee and receive your visa, the fee is nonrefundable even if you never travel to the United States. If your visa expires unused, you cannot recover the cost.
Are there visa fee waivers for people who cannot afford to pay?
The U.S. State Department does not offer fee waivers for visa applications. However, some countries have programs that provide financial support to visa applicants. Contact your local U.S. embassy or consulate to ask whether any such programs exist in your country.
What if my visa process is denied — do I have to pay again to reapply?
Yes. If you reapply after a denial, you must pay the full visa fee again. There is no reduced rate for reapplication. The fee is the same whether it is your first process or your fifth.
Does the visa fee include the cost of a medical exam?
No. The visa fee and the medical exam fee are separate. For immigrant visas, you pay for the medical exam yourself (typically $100 to $300) in addition to the visa fee and other government charges. For nonimmigrant visas, a medical exam is not required unless you are explore for certain work visas or exchange programs.