Last reviewed: August 29, 2026
How to Pay a U.S. Visa Fee While in the United States
There is no single domestic payment portal for someone physically present in the United States to obtain a new visa stamp. A visa is normally issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States, and the MRV fee belongs to the country where the consular appointment will take place.
This is different from extending or changing immigration status with USCIS. A USCIS filing fee does not replace a Department of State visa application fee, and an approved status extension does not place a new visa in a passport.
Choose the interview country before paying
The Department of State currently instructs nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule in their country of nationality or residence. Applying elsewhere can be more difficult, and appointment availability or eligibility may be limited.
- Decide which embassy or consulate abroad will handle the application.
- Complete the DS-160 for that location and save the confirmation page.
- Follow the visa instructions on that embassy or consulate's official website.
- Create a profile in the authorized appointment service for that country.
- Pay using the local options offered there and schedule through the same profile.
Do not pay in one country's portal simply because its card or bank option is convenient. Official appointment services warn that a fee paid for one country generally cannot be transferred to another.
If you already paid for the wrong country
- Do not make another payment until you verify which consular post will accept the application.
- Contact the official appointment service for the country where the payment was made.
- Ask whether the appointment can remain in that country; do not assume the receipt can move.
- If you must apply elsewhere, expect that a new country-specific payment may be required.