US tourist visa fees depend on your country and the visa type you need

The cost of a US tourist visa is not the same everywhere. Most countries pay $160 for a B-2 tourist visa, but some countries have reciprocal visa fees that match what the US charges their citizens. Mexico, for example, pays $170. The Philippines pays $190. Canada does not need a visa at all for tourism — Canadian citizens can enter visa-free under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

The $160 fee (or your country's equivalent) covers the consular processing fee that the US State Department charges to review your process. This is separate from any fees your country's consulate or embassy may add on top. Some embassies charge an additional service fee to handle the paperwork on their end, which can range from $20 to $50 depending on location.

If your process is denied, the fee is not refunded. You keep the receipt and can reapply later, but you will pay the full fee again.

Key Takeaways

  • Most countries pay $160 USD for a B-2 tourist visa, though some countries with reciprocal agreements pay different amounts based on what the US charges their citizens.
  • The visa fee covers only the consular processing cost and does not include embassy service fees, which vary by location and can add $20 to $50.
  • Visa fees are non-refundable even if your process is denied, so you will need to pay again if you reapply.
  • Some countries like Canada do not require a visa for US tourism, while others like Mexico and the Philippines pay higher fees due to reciprocal agreements.
  • You pay the fee at the time of your visa interview, either in cash, by bank transfer, or through the embassy's payment system depending on your location.

How reciprocal visa fees work

The US does not charge all countries the same visa fee. Instead, it uses a reciprocal system: if a country charges US citizens a certain amount for a visa, the US charges that country's citizens the same amount. This is why some countries pay more or less than $160.

Mexico charges US citizens $170 for a tourist visa, so Mexican nationals pay $170 for a US B-2 visa. The Philippines charges $190, so Filipinos pay $190. Australia charges $190, so Australians pay $190. The State Department publishes a full list of reciprocal fees by country on its website, organized by embassy and consulate.

These reciprocal fees change when countries change their own visa policies. If Mexico lowered its visa fee for Americans, the US would lower its fee for Mexicans in response. This happens infrequently, but it is worth checking the State Department's current fee schedule before you pay, because the amount you owe depends on your citizenship, not where you are explore from.

What happens to the visa fee money

The $160 (or reciprocal amount) goes to the US State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs. This bureau uses visa fees to cover the cost of running consulates and embassies worldwide — staff salaries, building maintenance, security, and the systems that process visa applications. The fee does not go into a general government fund; it is earmarked specifically for consular operations.

In addition to the consular fee, some embassies charge a separate service fee to their own government or to a third-party visa processing company. This fee stays in the country where you are explore and covers the cost of that embassy's administrative work. For example, the US Embassy in London may charge a service fee that goes to the UK government or a processing center, separate from the $160 that goes to the State Department.

When and how to pay your visa fee

You typically pay the visa fee at the time of your interview at the US consulate or embassy in your country. The payment method depends on your location. Some embassies accept cash only. Others accept bank transfers, credit cards, or payment through an online portal before your interview.

Check your specific embassy's website for payment instructions, because the process varies. The US Embassy in Mexico City, for example, uses an online payment system where you pay before scheduling your interview. The US Embassy in Manila requires payment in cash at the time of your appointment. Some embassies use third-party visa processing centers that handle payment separately from the consulate itself.

Bring proof of payment to your interview. This is usually a receipt or confirmation number. If you pay online, print or save the confirmation. If you pay in cash, keep the receipt the embassy gives you.

Additional costs beyond the visa fee

The visa fee itself is only one cost. You will also need to pay for a passport if you do not have one, which costs $130 to $165 in the US and varies by country elsewhere. You may need to pay for a medical exam if your country requires one before you travel. Some countries charge a departure tax when you leave, though this is less common now.

If you use a visa agency or travel company to help you prepare your process, they will charge a service fee on top of the government fee. These fees range from $50 to $300 depending on the agency and the level of help they provide. This is optional — you can explore directly to the consulate without using an agency — but some people use them to avoid mistakes on the process.

Budget for the cost of getting to your interview as well. If the nearest US consulate is far from where you live, you may need to travel, which adds hotel, transportation, and meal costs to your total expense.

What to do if you cannot afford the visa fee

The US State Department does not waive or reduce visa fees based on financial hardship. The fee is set by law and applies to all applicants from your country. If you cannot pay the full amount at the time of your interview, you cannot proceed with that interview — you will need to reschedule once you have the money.

Some embassies allow you to pay in installments or through a payment plan, but this is rare and depends on your specific location. Contact your embassy directly to ask whether a payment plan is available. Most do not offer this option.

If cost is a barrier, consider whether you truly need a visa. Some countries have visa-free or visa-on-arrival agreements with the US, which means you do not need to pay a visa fee in advance. Check whether your country is on the US Visa Waiver Program list before you commit to paying the fee.

Visa fee changes and how to verify the current amount

Visa fees are set by US law and do not change often, but they can change. The most recent change to the standard $160 fee happened in 2010. Reciprocal fees change more frequently when other countries adjust their own visa policies.

Always check the State Department's official website for your country's current fee before you explore. Go to travel.state.gov, find your country's consulate or embassy, and look for the visa fee section. This is the only source that will have the correct, up-to-date amount. Do not rely on third-party websites or visa agencies, because they may list outdated fees.

If you see a different fee listed on your embassy's website than on the main State Department site, contact the embassy directly. The embassy's local website is usually more current because it reflects any additional service fees or local payment requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get my visa fee back if my process is denied?

No. The visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your process. If you are denied and want to reapply, you will need to pay the full fee again. Keep your receipt from the first payment in case you need to prove you paid when you reapply.

Is the visa fee the same if I explore at a different embassy?

Yes, the consular fee is the same no matter which US embassy or consulate you explore at. However, the additional service fees charged by that embassy or its processing center may vary by location. Check the specific embassy's website for their total cost.

Can I pay the visa fee online before my interview?

Some embassies require online payment before you schedule your interview, while others only accept payment in cash at the time of your appointment. Check your specific embassy's website for their payment process. Do not assume you can pay online unless the embassy explicitly says so.

What if my country is not listed on the reciprocal fee schedule?

If your country is not listed, you pay the standard $160 fee. The State Department publishes a complete list of countries with reciprocal fees; if yours is not on it, the standard rate applies to you.

Do I need to pay the visa fee if I am explore for a visa waiver instead?

If your country is part of the US Visa Waiver Program, you do not need a visa at all and do not pay a visa fee. Instead, you register for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) online, which costs $14 and is valid for two years. Check whether your country qualifies before you pay for a visa.