The DS-160 fee is $140 USD for most visa applicants, paid directly to the U.S. State Department when you submit your form online

The DS-160 is the process for a Nonimmigrant Visa form you fill out on the State Department's website. The $140 fee covers the processing of that form itself — it is separate from any visa process fee your specific visa category requires. You pay it once per process, and the payment is non-refundable even if your visa is later denied.

The fee applies to most visa types: tourist visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F-1), work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1), and many others. A few visa categories are exempt — when ready family members of U.S. citizens, certain government-sponsored exchange visitors, and a small number of others — but if you are paying any visa fee at all, you are almost certainly paying the DS-160 fee as well.

Key Takeaways

  • The DS-160 fee is $140 USD and must be paid when you submit your form online through the State Department's website.
  • This fee is separate from your visa process fee, which varies by visa type and is paid at your visa interview appointment.
  • The $140 payment is non-refundable, even if your visa process is denied later.
  • You pay the DS-160 fee only once per process, and you receive a confirmation number when ready after payment.

How and when you pay the DS-160 fee

You pay the fee online through the State Department's Consular Electronic process Center (CEAC) website when you submit your completed DS-160 form. The system accepts credit cards, debit cards, and some other payment methods depending on your country. You cannot pay by cash, check, or wire transfer.

The payment happens before you finish submitting the form. Once you have filled out all the required fields, the system prompts you to pay. After your payment processes, you receive a confirmation number and a barcode. You must print this confirmation page — you will need it at your visa interview appointment. Without the confirmation, you cannot proceed to your interview.

The difference between the DS-160 fee and your visa process fee

Many applicants confuse these two separate charges. The DS-160 fee ($140) is for processing the form itself. Your visa process fee is a second charge that depends on your visa category and is paid at your interview appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate.

For example, a tourist visa (B-1/B-2) has a $160 process fee on top of the $140 DS-160 fee, for a total of $300. A student visa (F-1) has a $350 process fee, plus the $140 DS-160 fee. Work visas vary — some have no additional fee beyond DS-160, while others charge $190 or more. Check the fee schedule for your specific visa type on the State Department website before you explore, so you know the full cost.

What happens if you cannot pay the DS-160 fee

If your payment fails or you cannot complete the transaction, the form is not submitted. You can attempt payment again using the same form, or you can start over and create a new DS-160 process. There is no fee to create the form itself — you only pay when you submit it.

If you are facing financial hardship, there is no fee waiver or reduction for the DS-160. The State Department does not offer payment plans or installment options. Some visa categories have reduced process fees for certain nationalities or circumstances, but the DS-160 fee itself is fixed. If you cannot pay, you cannot submit the form or move forward with your visa process.

Refunds and what happens if your visa is denied

The DS-160 fee is non-refundable. If you submit the form and later decide not to pursue the visa, or if your visa process is denied at your interview, you do not get the $140 back. The fee covers the processing of your form, which happens regardless of the outcome.

Your visa process fee (the second charge, paid at your interview) is also non-refundable if your visa is denied. However, some countries offer a refund of the process fee if you do not attend your scheduled interview appointment — check with your specific embassy or consulate about their policy.

Currency and payment from outside the United States

The DS-160 fee is charged in U.S. dollars. If you are paying from another country, your bank or credit card company will convert the charge to your local currency at their exchange rate. You will see the USD amount on your receipt, but the actual charge to your card will be in your home currency.

Some countries have local payment options through the embassy or consulate website. For example, some applicants can pay through a local bank or payment service rather than directly with a credit card. Check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to see what payment methods are available in your location.

Keeping your confirmation number safe

After you pay and submit your DS-160 form, you receive a confirmation number and a barcode on a confirmation page. Print this page and keep it with your other visa documents. You will need to bring the printed confirmation to your visa interview appointment — the consulate will scan the barcode to pull up your process.

You can also save the confirmation number and retrieve your form later by logging back into the CEAC website if you need to check any information before your interview. The form and confirmation remain in the system for one year from the date you submitted it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a refund if I change my mind after paying the DS-160 fee?

No. The DS-160 fee is non-refundable once you submit the form and your payment processes. If you decide not to pursue the visa, you cannot recover the $140. You can still use your submitted form if you reschedule your interview within one year, but you will not be refunded.

Is the DS-160 fee the same for all countries?

Yes, the DS-160 fee is $140 USD for all applicants regardless of nationality or location. However, the visa process fee (the second charge) varies by visa type and sometimes by country. Check your embassy or consulate website for the total cost specific to your visa category.

What if my payment fails when I try to submit the DS-160?

If your payment does not go through, your form is not submitted. You can try paying again with the same form, or you can create a new DS-160 process and attempt payment again. There is no charge to create the form — you only pay when you successfully submit it.

Do I have to pay the DS-160 fee if my visa is denied?

Yes. The DS-160 fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied at your interview. The fee covers the processing of your form, which happens before your interview decision. Your visa process fee is also non-refundable if denied.

Can I pay the DS-160 fee in my local currency?

The fee is charged in U.S. dollars, but your bank or card company will convert it to your local currency. Some countries offer local payment methods through the embassy website — check your consulate's site to see if you can pay through a local bank or service instead of a credit card.