U.S. tourist visa fees depend on your country and the visa type you need

The cost of a U.S. tourist visa varies by your nationality and which visa category fits your travel plans. Most tourists from outside the Western Hemisphere need an B-2 visa, which costs $160 for the visa fee itself. Citizens of certain countries pay different amounts — some pay $140, others $190 or more. The fee you pay depends on what your country's government charges American tourists in return, a principle called reciprocity.

Beyond the visa fee, you will also pay a separate visa process processing fee that ranges from $0 to $270, depending on where you explore. This processing fee is not refundable even if your visa is denied. Some countries have no processing fee; others charge the full amount. You pay these fees at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country when you submit your process.

If you are a citizen of Canada, Mexico, or Bermuda, you may not need a visa at all — your country has a visa waiver agreement with the United States. Check the official U.S. State Department website for your specific country to confirm what you need before paying any fees.

Key Takeaways

  • The B-2 tourist visa fee is typically $160, but ranges from $140 to $190 depending on your country of citizenship.
  • A separate, non-refundable processing fee of $0 to $270 is charged when you explore at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
  • Citizens of Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda do not need a visa and pay nothing.
  • The total cost you pay depends on both your nationality and the location where you explore.
  • Visa fees are set by reciprocal agreements between the U.S. and other governments and change only when those agreements change.

How visa fees are set and why they differ by country

The U.S. State Department uses a reciprocity system: if your country charges American tourists $X for a visa, the U.S. charges your citizens $X for an American tourist visa. This is why a Brazilian tourist pays a different amount than a Japanese tourist. The fees are not arbitrary — they reflect what each country's government charges in return.

Some countries have negotiated lower fees or exemptions. Citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program — which includes most of Western Europe, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and others — do not need a visa at all and pay nothing. They can enter the U.S. for tourism with only an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which costs $14 and is valid for two years.

The visa fee itself goes to the U.S. government's general treasury. The processing fee covers the cost of the consulate staff, security screening, and administrative work involved in reviewing your process. Neither fee is refundable if your visa is denied.

What the processing fee covers and where to pay it

When you explore for a tourist visa, you pay the visa fee and the processing fee at the same time, usually through the U.S. embassy or consulate's official payment system. Many locations now use CGI Federal, a contractor that handles visa fee payments online. You create an account, pay the fees electronically, and receive a receipt with a barcode that you bring to your appointment.

Some consulates still accept payment in person or through bank transfer. The exact payment method depends on where you are explore. You will find the payment instructions on the consulate's website for your city or region.

The processing fee covers the cost of the visa interview, background checks, and document review. It is charged whether your visa is approved or denied. If you are denied, you can reapply and will need to pay the fees again.

Additional costs beyond the visa fee and processing fee

The visa fee and processing fee are what the U.S. government charges directly. However, you may face other costs depending on how you explore. If you use a visa agency or courier service to submit your documents, they charge their own fee — typically $50 to $200 — to handle the paperwork and delivery. This is optional; you can explore directly at the consulate for free, though it may require traveling to the consulate in person.

You will also need to pay for a passport photo (usually $10 to $20), a medical exam if required by your country's rules (not by the U.S.), and travel to the consulate for your interview. Some consulates are far from where you live, so travel costs can add up. A few countries offer visa interviews at U.S. embassies in neighboring countries if that is closer to you.

Translation services are another potential cost. If your documents are not in English, you may need to pay a translator to certify them. The consulate will tell you which documents must be translated and whether you can use an online service or must hire someone in person.

How long the visa is valid and whether you can extend it

A U.S. tourist visa is typically valid for 10 years from the date it is issued, though some countries' citizens receive 5-year visas. The validity period is printed on your visa. This does not mean you can stay in the U.S. for 10 years — it means you can enter the U.S. within that 10-year window.

Once you enter the U.S., the immigration officer at the port of entry (airport, border crossing, or seaport) decides how long you can stay. For a tourist, this is usually 6 months, though the officer can grant less time. The length of stay is stamped in your passport or noted on your arrival record. You cannot extend a tourist visa once you are in the U.S. — if you need to stay longer, you must leave and reapply, or change to a different visa category before your time runs out.

Visa fee refunds and what happens if your process is denied

The visa fee and processing fee are non-refundable. If your visa is denied, you do not get the money back. You can reapply, but you will need to pay the full fees again.

Some people are denied because of incomplete documents, which they can fix and reapply. Others are denied for reasons that cannot be changed — for example, if the consulate officer believes you do not intend to return to your home country after your visit. In that case, reapplying when ready is unlikely to succeed. You would need to change your circumstances (such as buying property or getting a job in your home country) before reapplying.

If you paid the fees but never attended your interview, or if you cancel your appointment before the interview date, some consulates will let you reschedule without paying again. Check with your specific consulate — policies vary by location.

Comparing tourist visas to other U.S. visa types and their costs

The B-2 tourist visa is the cheapest option if you are visiting for leisure. Other visa types cost the same fee but are for different purposes. A B-1 business visa costs the same as a B-2 and is for short business trips, conferences, or meetings. You can sometimes combine both purposes on a single B-1/B-2 visa.

Work visas, student visas, and family-based visas cost $190 to $205 in visa fees, plus higher processing fees. If you are moving to the U.S. permanently or working there, you will pay more than a tourist. A tourist visa is the least expensive option for temporary visits.

If you are a citizen of a Visa Waiver Program country, the ESTA at $14 is far cheaper than any visa, though it is only valid for 90 days and cannot be extended. If you need to stay longer than 90 days, you must explore for a visa instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The visa fee and processing fee are non-refundable once paid, even if you never travel to the U.S. or if your visa expires unused. The fees cover the cost of processing your process and issuing the visa document.

Do I have to pay the visa fee if I'm denied?

Yes. Both the visa fee and processing fee are non-refundable regardless of the outcome. If you are denied and want to reapply, you must pay the full amount again.

What's the difference between the visa fee and the processing fee?

The visa fee is what the U.S. government charges for the visa itself, typically $160. The processing fee covers the cost of the consulate's work — staff, security, and administration — and ranges from $0 to $270 depending on your location. Both are required and non-refundable.

Do I need to pay anything extra if I use a visa agency?

The U.S. government fees stay the same. However, visa agencies charge their own fee (usually $50 to $200) to handle your paperwork and delivery. This is optional — you can explore directly at the consulate and pay only the government fees.

Is an ESTA cheaper than a tourist visa?

Yes. An ESTA costs $14 and is valid for two years, but only for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries and only for stays up to 90 days. A tourist visa costs $160 to $190 plus processing fees but allows stays up to 6 months and is valid for 10 years. Choose based on your citizenship and how long you plan to stay.