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How to Pay the U.S. Visa Fee in Hong Kong

Submitting a DS-160 does not cost anything. Most applicants who need a U.S. nonimmigrant visa must separately pay the non-refundable consular application fee through Hong Kong's official appointment system.

Payment methods in Hong Kong

The official service currently lists:

  • Faster Payment System (FPS): scan the QR code on the payment advice slip and pay from a participating bank account.
  • Online credit or debit card: the card must accept charges in Hong Kong dollars.
  • Cash at China CITIC Bank International: print the unique deposit slip from your profile and take it to a participating Hong Kong branch.
  • U.S.-dollar Mastercard option: charges may apply when this option is shown by the portal.

Local payments are made in Hong Kong dollars (HKD). The system calculates the HKD amount using the Department of State's consular exchange rate.

Official reference: the Hong Kong bank and payment options page lists FPS QR payment, HKD card payment, cash at China CITIC Bank International, and up to one business day for activation.

Step-by-step payment process

  1. Submit your DS-160 and keep the barcode confirmation page.
  2. Create your own profile in the official applicant portal. Do not reuse another applicant's profile.
  3. Select Start Application and enter the visa type, post, category, and class.
  4. Open Payment Options and generate the payment reference or deposit slip.
  5. Pay by FPS, card, or bank cash deposit.
  6. Save the CGI reference, transaction number, and receipt. These numbers cannot be replaced if lost.
  7. Return to your profile when the receipt activates and schedule the interview.

The official instructions say to allow up to one business day for processing. FPS instructions indicate that an appointment can normally be scheduled on the next business day after confirmation.

Avoid duplicate payments

If a card payment shows an error, do not make a second payment immediately. Return to the payment screen and select the card option again; a successful earlier transaction may then link to the profile. If it does not, contact official Hong Kong support with the transaction details requested by the service.

Questions commonly searched in Hong Kong

How much is the U.S. visa fee in HKD?

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 HKD at the consular exchange rate shown at checkout. Confirm the current amount on the Department of State fee schedule.

Can I pay with FPS from any Hong Kong bank?

Use the FPS details generated inside your appointment profile and send the exact amount once. Never use payment details forwarded by an agent or received by message.

Is a fee paid in Hong Kong valid for a mainland China interview?

No. Hong Kong and mainland China use separate systems; a fee paid in one cannot be used in the other.

What if my payment does not appear in the system?

Wait the stated processing time, then contact the support channel listed in your profile with proof of payment. Do not pay a second time — duplicates are not refunded.

Official sources

Return to the general fee guide.

Paid already: now the appointment

Paying is not booking. Hong Kong uses USTravelDocs, one post covering Hong Kong and Macau, and the security rules turn people away for bringing a laptop — see booking a U.S. visa appointment in Hong Kong.

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: