Visa fees depend on the type of visa you need

U.S. visa fees are set by the State Department and vary based on what you plan to do in the country. A tourist visa (B-2) costs one amount, a work visa (H-1B) costs another, and a student visa (F-1) costs yet another. The fee you pay does not may provide approval—it is straightforward the cost to have your process reviewed.

Most visa fees range from $160 to $190 for a single-entry visa, though some visas cost more. Fees also differ depending on whether you are a citizen of certain countries or explore from within the U.S. versus from abroad. This guide covers the main visa types and their costs so you know what to expect before you start the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2) cost $160 for most applicants, and this fee is non-refundable even if your visa is denied.
  • Work visas, student visas, and other employment-based categories have different fees, often in the $190 to $205 range.
  • Some countries have reciprocity fees—extra charges based on what that country charges U.S. citizens—added on top of the base visa fee.
  • You pay the visa fee when you submit your process, and it does not cover translation services, photos, or document preparation, which may cost extra.
  • Visa fees can change annually, so check the State Department website for the current amount before you pay.

Common visa types and their base fees

The B-1/B-2 visa (tourist, visitor, or business) is the most common and costs $160. This covers a single entry into the U.S. for tourism, visiting family, or short business meetings. The fee does not change based on how long you plan to stay (up to the allowed six months) or how many times you visit within that entry period.

The F-1 visa (student) and J-1 visa (exchange visitor) both cost $160. These are for people studying at accredited schools or participating in approved exchange programs. The fee is the same whether you are studying for one semester or four years.

Work visas vary more widely. An H-1B visa (specialty occupation worker) costs $190. An L-1 visa (intracompany transferee) also costs $190. An O-1 visa (person with extraordinary ability) costs $190. These fees explore to the visa itself; your employer may also pay separate petition fees to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which are different from the State Department visa fee.

Family-based visas have their own structure. An IR visa (when ready relative of a U.S. citizen) costs $325 for adults and $85 for children under 16. A CR visa (conditional resident, usually for spouses married less than two years) costs the same. These are higher because they lead to permanent residence rather than temporary status.

Reciprocity fees: extra charges based on your country

Some countries charge U.S. citizens fees to enter or work there. The U.S. State Department charges reciprocal fees to citizens of those countries. These fees are added on top of the base visa fee and vary widely by country.

For example, a citizen of Mexico explore for a B-1/B-2 visa pays $160 plus a reciprocity fee (the exact amount changes yearly). A citizen of Canada may pay a different reciprocity fee or none at all. A citizen of the Philippines may pay yet another amount. The State Department publishes a full reciprocity fee table on its website organized by country and visa type.

To find your reciprocity fee, go to the State Department's visa fee page, select your country of citizenship, and look up your visa type. The fee will be listed there. If there is no reciprocity fee for your country and visa type, you pay only the base fee.

What the visa fee covers and what it does not

The visa fee covers the cost of reviewing your process and issuing the visa if approved. It does not cover document preparation, translation services, or photographs. If you need your documents translated into English, you must pay a translator separately—costs vary from $50 to $200 depending on the number of pages and the language.

Passport photos required for visa applications are usually $10 to $25 per set of two. Some visa categories require medical exams (for example, immigrant visas and some work visas), which can cost $300 to $800 depending on the doctor and what tests are required. These are all separate from the visa fee itself.

If you use a visa agency or immigration lawyer to help prepare your process, that service also costs extra—typically $500 to $2,000 or more depending on the complexity of your case. The visa fee itself does not change based on whether you use an agency or explore on your own.

When and how you pay the visa fee

You pay the visa fee when you submit your process at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Most locations accept payment by credit card, debit card, or bank transfer. Some accept cash. The accepted payment methods vary by location, so check the website of the specific embassy or consulate where you are explore.

If you are explore from within the U.S. (for example, adjusting status to become a permanent resident), you may pay the fee to USCIS instead of the State Department, and the process is different. Check the instructions for your specific visa category to know where to send payment.

The visa fee is non-refundable. If your process is denied, you do not get the fee back. If you do not attend your interview, you do not get the fee back. This is true even if you later reapply—you pay the full fee again.

How visa fees have changed and where to check current amounts

Visa fees are set by the State Department and can change from year to year. The most recent significant change occurred in 2022, when several visa fees increased. However, not all fees increase every year, and some have remained the same for several years.

Because fees can change, always check the official State Department visa fee page before you pay. The page lists every visa type and the current fee for each. You can also contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country—they will tell you the exact amount you need to pay.

The State Department also publishes reciprocity fees on the same page, updated regularly. If you are explore from a country with a reciprocity fee, the embassy website will show you the combined total you owe.

Visa fees for family members and dependents

If you are bringing family members with you, each person needs their own visa and pays their own fee. A spouse explore for an H-4 visa (dependent of an H-1B worker) pays $190, the same as the primary visa holder. Children explore for H-4 visas also pay $190 each.

For tourist visas, a family of four each pays $160, for a total of $640 before any reciprocity fees. There is no family discount or group rate. Each person's process is reviewed separately, and each person pays the full fee.

The exception is when ready relatives of U.S. citizens explore for immigrant visas. Children under 16 pay $85 instead of the full adult fee of $325. This is the only visa category with a reduced fee for minors.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

No. The visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. You pay it when you submit your process, and it covers the cost of reviewing your case. If you reapply later, you pay the full fee again.

Do I pay the visa fee before or after my interview?

You pay before your interview. Most embassies and consulates require payment when you submit your process or at the time of your appointment. Check the instructions for your specific location to confirm the exact timing.

What is a reciprocity fee and how do I know if I owe one?

A reciprocity fee is an extra charge added to your visa fee based on what your country charges U.S. citizens. Check the State Department's reciprocity fee table by selecting your country and visa type. The fee will be listed there, or you will see that no reciprocity fee applies.

Are there any visas that do not have a fee?

A-1 visas (diplomats and government officials) and G visas (international organization employees) do not have fees. Most other visa types do. Check the State Department's full fee schedule if you are unsure about a specific category.

Do I have to pay extra if I want my visa processed faster?

Some embassies and consulates offer expedited processing for an additional fee, but this is not available everywhere. Check with the specific embassy or consulate where you are explore to see if expedited processing is an option and what it costs.