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How to Pay the U.S. Visa Fee in Mainland China
The DS-160 itself is free. Most nonimmigrant visa applicants pay a separate, non-refundable consular application fee through the official applicant system for mainland China.
Payment methods in mainland China
The official payment page currently offers several distinct methods:
- Alipay: the portal generates a payment reference and QR code. Save a screenshot or copy the receipt number before continuing.
- Online Chinese bank card: pay with a debit or credit card issued by a Chinese bank. China UnionPay support and online-payment activation may depend on the issuing bank.
- Cash at CITIC Bank: generate and print the deposit slip from your profile, then bring the slip and passport to a CITIC branch. Expired slips are not accepted.
- CITIC Smart Counter: use the CGI reference number and a China UnionPay debit card at a supported counter.
- U.S.-dollar Mastercard option: charges may apply; use only when the portal presents it for your application.
The portal displays the fee in U.S. dollars but collects the local payment in RMB using the Department of State's consular exchange rate. Pay the exact amount generated for your visa class.
Official reference: the China bank and payment options page documents Chinese-bank online cards, CITIC cash and Smart Counters, Alipay, and the receipt-number requirement.
Official U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service for mainland China, captured August 29, 2026. The live portal controls the methods and RMB amount available to an applicant.
Step-by-step payment process
- Submit the DS-160 and save the confirmation number.
- Create a profile in the official applicant system.
- Select Start Application and complete the visa type, post, category, and class steps.
- Open Payment Options and choose one method.
- Use the unique CGI or payment reference created by the system.
- Save the final receipt number. You cannot schedule without it.
- Return to the profile after activation and schedule the interview.
The official China instructions say to allow up to one business day for payment processing. Some online payments may link sooner. If the payment appears unsuccessful, do not immediately pay again; use the official support channel to have the first transaction checked.
Common China payment mistakes
- Paying with an expired or duplicated CITIC deposit slip.
- Losing the receipt number after an Alipay or Smart Counter payment.
- Using a non-Chinese card for the option restricted to Chinese-bank cards.
- Expecting a Chinese fapiao or shouju from the visa service; the official page says these are not provided.
Questions commonly searched in mainland China
How much is the U.S. visa fee in RMB?
The fee is set in U.S. dollars — $185 for B visitor and F/M/J student visas, higher for petition-based categories — and collected in RMB at the consular exchange rate shown at checkout. Confirm the current amount on the Department of State fee schedule.
Can I pay with Alipay or WeChat Pay?
Use only the payment options presented inside your official appointment profile. Never pay an agent, a WeChat contact, or a link received by message — visa fee scams targeting Chinese applicants are common.
How long is the receipt valid?
An MRV fee receipt is normally valid for scheduling for one year from the payment date.
Can I use a fee paid in China for an interview elsewhere?
No. A fee paid through the mainland China system is tied to applying there. Applying in Hong Kong or another country means paying again in that system.
Official sources
Return to the general fee guide.
Already in the United States? If you are renewing while on another visa, see paying the fee when you apply from the United States.
Paid already: now the appointment
Paying is not booking. China uses USTravelDocs across five posts, your appointment time is when to arrive, and Bluetooth devices are banned even switched off — including car key fobs. See booking a U.S. visa appointment in China.
Paying from a nearby country
The bank, currency and appointment service differ by country — if you are applying somewhere else in East Asia, use that country's guide: