If you are planning on heading to the U.S., be there for a brief stay, working or studying in America, you may have observed this one thing: usa visa fees. So, yes — you have to pay for a visa. Visa costs can vary tremendously depending on the type of visa, and it is a good idea to know what you are looking at ahead of time so that there will be no surprises.

In this post, we will take you through the different types of usa visa fees available out there and how much each cost, plus some tips on what to consider when budgeting for your U.S. visa application. Let’s dive into it!

Why are there visa fees?

To start, you might be wondering why in the world, usa visa fees are applicable at all. Well, the U.S. government charges these fees in order to pay for conferring visas, including activities such as processing a visa application; doing background checks and interviews. There are fees for a reason, it takes time and resources to process all of those documents. That’s why the costs are different for each visa type.

Types of visa fees

There are a few categories of visa fees that you’ll come across, and it’s good to know which ones apply to your situation. Let’s break them down.

1. Non-immigrant visa application fees (MRV Fees)

These are the charges that apply in general for each person when they want to use a visa of non-immigrant types. Non-immigrant visas are for temporary visits to the United States, if you plan on traveling to this country or working and studying it is likely that this visa allows it. Here, you pay what is known as a Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee.

Just a brief snapshot of the typical MRV fees:

• Tourist visa (B1/B2): $185
  • This is the most common visa that individuals will apply for if they are traveling to the U.S.A. on vacation or for business purposes. It’s usually what folks get for vacations, visiting family, or short-term business trips.
• Student visa (F, M Visas): $185
  • If you’re heading to the U.S. to study at a university or take vocational training, you’ll need an F or M visa. The fee is the same whether you’re going for academic studies or something more hands-on.
• Work visas (H, L, O, P, Q, R Visas): $205
  • There are all sorts of work visas, and the fees are higher for these because the processing is more complicated. Whether you’re getting an H1B for specialized work or an L1 for a company transfer, the fee is $205.
• Fiancé(e) visa (K Visa): $265
  • If you’re planning to marry a U.S. citizen, you’ll need a K visa. This lets you enter the U.S. to get married, but it comes with a higher fee of $265, which is understandable because marriage-based visas usually require more paperwork and background checks.
• Exchange visitor visa (J Visa): $185
  • If you’re participating in a work-and-study-based exchange program, like au pair programs or cultural exchanges, you’ll need a J visa.

SEVIS fees for student and exchange visas

If you’re applying for a student (F or M) or exchange (J) visa, there’s an extra fee called the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee. This fee is paid in addition to the visa application fee and helps maintain the system that tracks students and exchange visitors in the U.S.

• F or M Visas (Student SEVIS fee): $350
• J Visa (Exchange Visitor SEVIS fee): $220
• Au Pair and Camp Counselor (J Visa SEVIS fee): $35

2. Immigrant visa fees

If you’re planning on moving to the U.S. permanently (not just for a visit or short stay), you’ll need to apply for an immigrant visa, and the fees for these are quite different from the non-immigrant visas. Immigrant visas usually mean you’re getting a Green Card (permanent residency), whether through family sponsorship, a job, or some other route.

Here are some common immigrant visa fees:

• Family-based immigrant visa: $325
  • This is for people applying for a Green Card through a U.S. citizen or permanent resident family member. The fee covers the processing of your application.
• Employment-based immigrant Visa: $345
  • If you’re coming to the U.S. because a company is sponsoring you for permanent residency, this is the fee you’ll need to pay.
• Diversity visa (Green Card Lottery): $330
  • If you’re lucky enough to win the Green Card Lottery, you’ll still need to pay this fee when applying for permanent residency.
• Adoption visa (Hague Convention): $775
  • If you’re adopting a child from another country, you’ll pay this fee to process the adoption and immigration paperwork.

3. Additional fees

In some cases, there are extra fees beyond the basic application fees. These are less common but can come up depending on your visa type and situation.

• Reciprocity fees: These fees depend on the country you’re applying from and are based on what the U.S. charges citizens of that country. Some countries have higher reciprocity fees, while others may not have them at all. This can be an extra charge you’ll need to pay after your visa is approved.
• Visa Issuance fees: Once your visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee. This depends on your nationality and the type of visa you’re applying for. It’s like a processing fee for finalizing your visa after approval.
• Medical examination fees: Immigrant visa applicants will need to undergo a medical examination by an approved doctor. This fee isn’t paid to the U.S. government but directly to the physician conducting the exam, and it can range anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on the country and provider.

How to pay your visa fees

Knowing the usa visa fee categories is easy, but how do you actually make this payment? Except for a few cases, you will have to pay your fees before your U.S. visa appointment at the embassy or consulate in most of the situations. Here are the basic steps:

1. Pay online: You must pay your usa visa fees, in most countries payments are done through an online portal on a secure government site using Credit or Debit Card.
2. Pay at a bank: Some countries allow you to pay the usa visa fees at a participating bank branch. You’ll need to follow the specific instructions provided by the embassy or consulate in your country.
3. Pay at the embassy/consulate: In some cases, you can pay the fee directly at the embassy or consulate when you go for your interview. But most embassies prefer payments to be made ahead of time to avoid delays.

Remember to keep your receipt! You’ll need to show proof that you paid the fee when you go for your visa interview.

Refunds and transfers: Can you get your money back?

One of the concerns over and over again is, “What if my visa gets rejected? Do I get my money back?” Annoyingly, visa fees are non-refundable. Regardless of whether your application is approved or denied, you will not be able to get a refund for the fee due because it becomes an official payment as the money goes towards covering some expenses that occurred during processing.

Furthermore, visa charges cannot be transferred. Remember, each individual person applying for a visa needs to pay their own fee — even if you are all on the same application.

Tips for managing USA visa fees

The visa fees can add up fairly quickly, particularly if you are applying for more than one type of visa (e.g. Work and bringing family). Here are a few tips to manage the costs and make sure you don’t run into problems.

1. Plan ahead and budget

Visa fees are one of those things you just have to accept when applying to come to the U.S. But when you plan for them and budget ahead, it will not feel as crushing. Check fees for your visa type, and consider that regardless of the critical skills visa you need to take, there may be additional costs such as medical examinations or SEVIS fees if applicable.

2. Double-check fee amounts

Keep in mind that visa fees may change and be higher or lower as set by the US Government, it is important for you to check beforehand. These are the fees at the time of this writing, but they can go up and down depending on U.S. immigration policies. Look at the State Department website for official guidelines.

3. Beware of scams

It’s a complete shame that there are so many scam agents taking advantage of people who already have their hands full just trying to get legal status. Be sure you’re paying your fees through the official U.S. government website or an authorized bank. If anyone asks you to pay extra fees or offers to “guarantee” you a visa for an additional charge, it’s probably a scam.

4. Keep your receipts

It’s always a good idea to keep records of all payments. Make sure you keep the payment receipt saved somewhere in case it is asked to show that you paid your visa fee. You can pay this online, and a confirmation email with a receipt should be sent to you if it’s the case.

Conclusion: Be prepared for visa fees

On the flip side, it can be a bit of an ordeal to get your U.S. visa and when you start adding up costs…

Thankfully, a little bit of preparation and background work can help you stay on top of your visa fees in order to make the process as seamless as possible. Be sure to research what category of visa you are in, the appropriate fees and how they must be paid!

Therefore, if someone is planning on coming to the U.S. for a holiday, studying in one of our top universities or moving to start a fresh life it is advisable.

Visa Franchise provide comprehensive services to help you navigate through this process

All the best with your visa processing!