Visa fees depend on the type of visa you're seeking

U.S. visa fees are set by the State Department and vary based on the category of visa you want. Most nonimmigrant visas (temporary visas for work, study, tourism, or other short-term purposes) cost between $160 and $190. Immigrant visas (for people moving permanently to the United States) cost more—typically $335 to $385 for the visa itself, plus additional fees for medical exams and background checks that can add $200 to $500 or more depending on your country.

The fee you pay does not may provide approval. You pay the visa fee whether your process is approved or denied. Some visa categories have no fee at all—for example, A-1 visas for foreign government officials and their when ready family members are free. The fee covers the cost of processing your process and conducting a background check, not the outcome.

Key Takeaways

  • Nonimmigrant visa fees (for temporary stays) range from $160 to $190 for most common categories like tourism, business, and student visas.
  • Immigrant visa fees start at $335 to $385 for the visa itself, with additional costs for medical exams and police certificates that can total $200 to $500 more.
  • You pay the visa fee at the time of your interview, and the fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied.
  • Some visa categories, such as visas for government officials and certain family-based visas, have no fee.
  • Exchange rates affect what you pay if you're paying in a currency other than U.S. dollars at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States.

Nonimmigrant visa fees for temporary stays

Most people seeking a temporary U.S. visa pay $160. This covers B-1 visas (business), B-2 visas (tourism), and many other short-term categories. F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visitor visas also cost $160. H-1B work visas cost $190. These fees are the same whether you explore at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country or through a visa process center that represents the embassy.

The $160 or $190 fee is what you owe to the State Department. Some countries charge an additional visa reciprocity fee—a separate charge that the U.S. imposes on citizens of countries that charge Americans a similar fee to enter. For example, citizens of Brazil, Mexico, and India may owe an extra reciprocity fee on top of the base visa fee. The amount varies by country and changes periodically. You can check the current reciprocity fees on the State Department website for the specific country and visa type.

Immigrant visa fees and additional costs

If you are moving permanently to the United States, you will pay more than a temporary visa holder. The immigrant visa fee itself is $335 for most applicants, though some categories cost $385. This fee covers the visa issuance only. You will also need to pay for a medical examination performed by a doctor approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate—this typically costs $100 to $300 depending on your location and the complexity of your health history.

You will also need to obtain police certificates from every country where you have lived for more than six months since age 16. The cost of these certificates varies widely by country—some are free, others cost $50 to $200 or more. If you are sponsoring a family member, the sponsoring relative (called the petitioner) may also need to pay a filing fee to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to submit the initial petition, which is separate from the visa fee itself. That petition fee is currently $535 for most family-based cases, though some categories are free.

How and when you pay the visa fee

You typically pay your visa fee at the time of your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate. Most locations accept payment by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. Some consulates also accept cash. You should confirm the accepted payment methods with the specific embassy or consulate where you will interview, as practices vary by location.

If you are explore through a visa process center (a private company that collects applications on behalf of the embassy), you may be able to pay before your interview. The process center may charge a service fee in addition to the visa fee—this is a separate charge for handling your paperwork and is not part of the State Department fee. Service fees vary by country and process center, typically ranging from $20 to $100.

The visa fee is non-refundable. If your visa is denied, you do not get the fee back. If you do not attend your interview, you do not get the fee back. If you decide not to pursue the visa, you do not get the fee back. The only exception is if the embassy or consulate cancels your interview due to circumstances beyond your control (such as a facility closure), in which case you may be able to reschedule without paying again.

Visa reciprocity fees by country

The United States charges reciprocity fees to citizens of countries that charge Americans a fee to enter. These fees are in addition to the base visa fee and are collected at the time of your interview. The amount depends on your nationality and the type of visa you are seeking.

For example, Brazilian citizens pay an additional $190 reciprocity fee for most nonimmigrant visas on top of the $160 base fee, bringing the total to $350. Mexican citizens pay $27 for a tourist visa. Indian citizens pay $15 for most nonimmigrant visas. These amounts change periodically as the State Department adjusts them based on what other countries charge Americans. If you are a citizen of a country that charges reciprocity fees, the embassy or consulate will inform you of the amount when you schedule your interview.

Fees you may encounter beyond the visa fee

Several other costs can add up as you prepare your visa process. If you need to obtain documents from your home country—such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or police records—you may need to pay fees to government offices or hire a document retrieval service. These costs vary widely by country and document type. Translation services, if your documents are not in English, are another potential expense that varies by location and document length.

If you are explore for an immigrant visa and need to undergo a medical examination, the approved civil surgeon or panel physician will charge you directly. This fee is separate from the visa fee and typically ranges from $100 to $300. Some applicants also hire immigration attorneys to help prepare their process, which can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the complexity of the case and the attorney's location and experience. If you are explore from outside your home country, you may also need to budget for travel to the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will interview.

Visa categories with no fee

A small number of visa categories are free. A-1 visas for foreign government officials and their when ready family members have no fee. A-2 visas for other government employees also have no fee. G visas for employees of international organizations (such as the United Nations) are free. NATO visas and certain other special categories also have no fee.

If you believe you may may have access to for a no-fee visa, check with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to confirm your may be able to access and the documentation you will need to provide to prove your status.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay the visa fee before my interview?

Most of the time, you pay at the interview itself. However, if you are explore through a visa process center, you may pay before the interview. Check with the specific embassy or consulate where you will interview for their payment procedures.

What happens if I pay the visa fee and my visa is denied?

The fee is non-refundable. You do not get your money back if your visa is denied. You would need to pay the fee again if you reapply.

Is the visa fee the same in every country?

The base visa fee is set by the U.S. State Department and is the same worldwide. However, reciprocity fees vary by country, and visa process centers may charge different service fees. Exchange rates also affect what you pay if you are paying in local currency.

Do I need to pay for a medical exam before my visa interview?

For nonimmigrant visas, you typically do not need a medical exam. For immigrant visas, you must have a medical exam performed by a doctor approved by the U.S. embassy or consulate, and you pay that doctor directly—it is not part of the visa fee.

Can I get a refund if I don't use my visa?

No. The visa fee is non-refundable. Once you pay it and receive your visa, the fee is gone even if you never travel to the United States.