U.S. visa fees vary by visa type, from $160 for most temporary visas to $585 for employment-based categories

The cost of a U.S. visa depends on which type you need. A tourist visa (B-2) costs $160. Work visas in categories like H-1B, L-1, or O-1 cost $315 to $585. Family-based immigrant visas cost $325 to $385. Student visas (F-1) and exchange visitor visas (J-1) cost $160 and $220 respectively. These are the fees you pay to the U.S. State Department when you submit your visa petition or process.

The fee covers the cost of processing your process and conducting a background check and interview. It does not cover other expenses you may face, such as medical exams, police certificates, translation services, or travel to the consulate for your interview. Those costs vary by country and your individual situation.

Most visa fees are non-refundable, even if your process is denied. Some visa types have additional fees — for example, certain work visas require an I-129 petition fee of $460 to $640 that your employer pays before you even submit your visa process.

Key Takeaways

  • Tourist, student, and temporary work visas typically cost $160 to $315, while employment-based and immigrant visas cost $315 to $585.
  • The visa fee covers process processing and background review but does not include medical exams, police certificates, or consulate interview travel.
  • Visa fees are non-refundable regardless of whether your process is approved or denied.
  • Some visa categories require an additional petition fee paid by your employer or sponsor before you submit your visa process.
  • Fees are set by the U.S. State Department and do not vary by country, though some consulates may charge a local service fee for payment processing.

Visa fees by category

The State Department groups visas into categories, and each has a set fee. Temporary visas for tourism, business, or short-term work (B-1, B-2, C, D, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V) cost $160 each. This covers most people who plan to stay in the U.S. for a limited time.

Employment-based immigrant visas (EB-1 through EB-5) cost $325. Family-based immigrant visas (IR, CR, F, or DV categories) cost $325 to $385 depending on whether you are immigrating as an when ready relative or through the diversity visa lottery. Diversity visa lottery winners pay $330.

Some work visas have higher fees. The L-1A visa for intracompany transferees costs $315. The O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary ability costs $315. The EB-1C visa for managers and executives costs $325. These higher fees reflect the complexity of the petition process.

Additional costs beyond the visa fee

The visa fee itself is only part of what you will spend. Before your visa interview, you must pass a medical examination by a U.S. State Department-approved civil surgeon. This exam costs $100 to $300 depending on your location and the complexity of your medical history. You may also need police certificates from every country where you have lived for more than six months, which can cost $10 to $100 per certificate depending on the country.

If your documents are in a language other than English, you will need certified translations. Translation costs range from $50 to $200 per document depending on the language and length. Some countries charge a service fee when you pay your visa fee at a bank or payment center — this is separate from the visa fee itself and typically costs $5 to $15.

Travel to the U.S. consulate for your interview is your responsibility. If you live far from the nearest consulate, you may need to pay for transportation and lodging. Some visa categories also require a visa issuance fee paid after your visa is approved but before you travel — this is rare but can add $100 to $200 to your total cost.

Employer-paid petition fees for work visas

If you are explore for a work visa, your employer or sponsor must file a petition with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before you can explore for the visa itself. This petition has its own fee, which your employer pays. The I-129 petition for temporary workers costs $460 for most employers and $640 for employers with 25 or more employees. The I-140 petition for employment-based immigrants costs $715.

Some employers also pay for premium processing, which speeds up the petition review from several months to 15 calendar days. Premium processing costs $1,500 for most petitions and $2,500 for certain categories. Your employer is not required to pay this fee, but many do to move the hiring process forward.

These employer-paid fees are in addition to the visa fee you pay when you submit your visa process at the consulate. The total cost to you as an applicant may be lower than it appears because your employer covers the petition costs, but you should understand that these fees exist and factor into the overall expense of hiring you.

Who pays what: employer, sponsor, or you

For tourist and student visas, you pay the visa fee yourself. For work visas, your employer typically pays the petition fee (I-129 or I-140) but you pay the visa fee. For family-based immigrant visas, your U.S. relative (your sponsor) may agree to pay some or all of your costs, but you are legally responsible for the visa fee.

Some visa categories have a "public charge" requirement, which means you must show you will not become a burden on the U.S. government. To meet this requirement, your sponsor may need to file an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864), which has no fee but creates a legal obligation for your sponsor to support you financially if you cannot support yourself.

If you are denied a visa, you can reapply, but you must pay the visa fee again. There is no refund for a denied process, and there is no fee waiver or reduction based on financial hardship.

Payment methods and where to pay

You cannot pay the visa fee directly to the State Department. Instead, you pay through the consulate or embassy where you will have your interview. Most consulates accept payment at a designated bank, through an online payment system, or at a payment center. The payment method varies by country and consulate.

When you create your visa process account on the State Department's Consular Electronic process Center (CEAC), you will receive instructions on how and where to pay. Some consulates use a third-party payment processor that may charge a small service fee on top of the visa fee. This service fee is not part of the official visa fee and is kept by the payment processor, not the State Department.

You must pay the visa fee before your interview. If you do not pay, your interview will be cancelled. Keep your payment receipt — you will need to show it at your interview.

Visa fee waivers and reductions

The State Department does not offer fee waivers or reductions for visa applications based on financial hardship. The visa fee is a fixed cost that applies to all applicants in the same visa category, regardless of income or circumstances.

However, some visa categories have lower fees than others. If you are a student or exchange visitor, your fee is $160 or $220, which is lower than employment-based visas. If you are explore for a tourist visa, the fee is $160. There is no way to reduce the fee for your specific category, but you can compare the cost of different visa types if you have multiple options.

If you are denied and reapply, you must pay the full fee again. Some consulates allow you to use a payment receipt from a previous process if you reapply within a certain time frame, but this varies by location. Contact your consulate directly to ask about their specific policy.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. Visa fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your process. If you are denied and want to reapply, you must pay the full fee again. The fee covers the cost of processing your process and conducting a background check, which happens whether you are approved or denied.

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

Yes. You must pay the visa fee before your consulate interview. If you do not pay, your interview will be cancelled and you will need to reschedule. Payment instructions are provided when you submit your online visa process.

Is the visa fee the same in every country?

The visa fee itself is the same worldwide for each visa type — $160 for tourist visas, $315 for certain work visas, and so on. However, some consulates charge an additional local service fee for payment processing, which varies by country and can be $5 to $15. This service fee goes to the payment processor, not the State Department.

Does my employer pay my visa fee?

Your employer pays the petition fee (I-129 or I-140) but you typically pay the visa fee yourself. Some employers offer to reimburse employees for visa fees as part of their relocation package, but this is a company policy, not a legal requirement. Check with your employer about their policy.

What happens if I cannot afford the visa fee?

There is no fee waiver or reduction for visa applications. If you cannot afford the fee, you cannot proceed with your visa process. Some employers or sponsors may be willing to pay the fee on your behalf, but you should discuss this directly with them. The State Department does not offer financial information for visa fees.