Where to Pay Your US Visa Fee in India

You pay your US visa fee at a bank, not at the US embassy or consulate. The US State Department uses BLS International as its payment partner in India. BLS collects visa fees at authorized bank branches across the country before you attend your visa interview.

The fee amount depends on your visa type. An H-1B visa costs $190, a tourist B-1/B-2 visa costs $160, and a student F-1 visa costs $160. Some visa categories have different amounts—check the specific fee for your visa type on the State Department website before you go to the bank.

You do not pay the fee online or directly to the embassy. You must pay in person at a bank branch that BLS has authorized to collect visa fees. The bank gives you a receipt, which you bring to your visa interview appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • BLS International collects US visa fees at authorized Indian bank branches; you cannot pay online or at the embassy itself.
  • Bring your passport number and visa process confirmation number when you go to the bank to pay.
  • The bank gives you a receipt that you must carry to your visa interview—do not lose it.
  • Payment is cash or demand draft only; credit cards and debit cards are not accepted at most branches.
  • Visit the BLS website to find the nearest authorized bank branch and confirm current fee amounts before you go.

Which Banks Accept Visa Fee Payments

BLS has authorized specific bank branches in major Indian cities to collect visa fees. The most common banks include State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, and Axis Bank. Not every branch of these banks accepts visa fees—only branches that BLS has designated do.

You can find the exact branch locations and their hours on the BLS website for your visa category. Search by your city or postal code to see which branches near you are authorized. Some smaller cities may have only one or two authorized branches, so check the list before you travel.

Call the branch before you go to confirm they are open and accepting payments that day. Some branches have specific hours for visa fee collection, and a few close on certain days of the week.

What to Bring When You Pay the Fee

Bring your passport and your visa process confirmation number (also called the DS-160 confirmation number for most visa types). The bank teller will ask for both. You will also need cash or a demand draft in Indian rupees for the exact fee amount.

Bring a pen to fill out any forms the bank requires. Some branches ask you to complete a straightforward payment slip with your name, passport number, and visa type. Have your phone number and email address ready as well—the bank may record these for their records.

Do not bring originals of other documents like your job offer letter or university acceptance. The bank only needs your passport and confirmation number. After you pay, the bank will give you a receipt and a fee payment confirmation slip—keep both safe until your interview.

Payment Methods and Fee Amounts

Most authorized bank branches accept cash only in Indian rupees. A small number of branches may accept demand drafts (a bank-issued payment order), but cash is the safest option. Credit cards, debit cards, and online transfers are not accepted for visa fee payments.

Bring the exact amount or slightly more to account for any small change. The fee does not change based on when you pay—a B-1/B-2 tourist visa is always $160, which converts to rupees at the current exchange rate. The bank will tell you the rupee amount when you arrive, or you can check the BLS website for the current conversion.

Keep your receipt and the fee payment confirmation slip in a safe place. You must bring the original receipt to your visa interview. If you lose it, contact BLS when ready—they can issue a duplicate, but this may delay your interview appointment.

Timeline: When to Pay Before Your Interview

Pay your visa fee at least one to two weeks before your scheduled interview. This gives the bank time to process the payment and for the record to reach the US embassy or consulate. If you pay too close to your interview date, the embassy may not have received confirmation that you paid, and they may reschedule you.

You can pay the fee months in advance if you know your interview date early. There is no important date by which you must pay—as long as you pay before the interview and bring your receipt, you are fine. Some people pay the fee as soon as they receive their interview appointment letter.

If your interview is rescheduled, you do not need to pay the fee again. The original payment is valid for your new interview date. Bring the same receipt to the rescheduled appointment.

What Happens After You Pay

After you pay at the bank, you receive a receipt and a fee payment confirmation slip. The bank sends the payment information to BLS, which forwards it to the US embassy or consulate handling your case. This usually takes a few business days.

You do not need to do anything else after paying. straightforward keep your receipt safe and bring it to your interview. The embassy will check their records to confirm you paid before they interview you. If for some reason the payment did not reach them, they will tell you at the interview and you may need to pay again or provide proof of payment.

If you paid but your interview is cancelled or you withdraw your process, contact BLS to ask about a refund. Refund policies vary, and some fees may not be refundable depending on how far along your case is. Ask about this when you contact them.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not pay the fee at the US embassy or consulate directly—they do not accept payments there. Only authorized bank branches collect visa fees. Showing up at the embassy with cash will not work and may delay your interview.

Do not lose your receipt. The bank gives you only one original receipt. If you lose it before your interview, contact BLS when ready to request a duplicate. Without proof of payment, the embassy may not let you interview or may ask you to pay again.

Do not assume all branches of a major bank accept visa fees. Check the BLS website for the specific authorized branches in your area. Calling a random SBI or HDFC branch and asking to pay a visa fee may result in confusion or a wasted trip.

Do not pay in US dollars or any currency other than Indian rupees. The bank will not accept foreign currency. If you are outside India, you must return to India or use a relative's bank account to pay in rupees.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I pay the visa fee online?

No. The US State Department does not offer online visa fee payment in India. You must pay in person at an authorized bank branch. BLS International does not have an online payment system for Indian visa applicants.

What if I cannot find an authorized bank branch near me?

Check the BLS website again and expand your search radius—you may need to travel to a larger nearby city. If your city has no authorized branch, contact BLS customer service to ask about payment options. In rare cases, they may direct you to a different payment method or location.

Do I need to pay the fee if my visa is denied?

Yes. The visa fee is non-refundable regardless of the interview outcome. You pay the fee before your interview, and if your visa is denied, you do not get the money back. If you want to reapply, you must pay the fee again.

Can someone else pay the fee on my behalf?

Yes. A family member or friend can go to the bank and pay your visa fee if you give them your passport number and DS-160 confirmation number. They do not need your passport itself—just the number. They will receive the receipt, which they can give to you to bring to your interview.

What if the bank gives me the wrong receipt amount?

Check the receipt when ready before you leave the bank. If the amount is wrong, tell the teller right away and ask them to correct it. If you notice the error after you leave, return to the bank as soon as possible with the receipt to have it corrected before your interview.