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Last reviewed: August 31, 2026

How to Pay the U.S. Visa Fee in Sri Lanka

The DS-160 itself has no submission fee. Applicants in Sri Lanka pay the separate nonimmigrant visa application (MRV) fee through the official U.S. visa appointment service before an interview in Colombo can be scheduled.

Payment methods in Sri Lanka

The official Sri Lanka payment options page currently lists:

  • Cash at any DFCC Bank branch: print one CGI deposit slip from your profile — a family or group needs only one payment and one slip — then complete the bank's own DFCC deposit slip at the counter, copying across every detail from the CGI slip. Keep the receipt.
  • DFCC mobile banking (EFT): in the app choose Payment → US Visa Fee (MRV) Payment, enter your CGI reference number under "Reference No/Customer ID", and the fee amount auto-populates. Confirm, then keep the success screen or the confirmation email as your receipt.
  • Visa or Mastercard, credit or debit: paid online from the payment confirmation screen.
  • USD card via Elavon: billed in U.S. dollars through a link at checkout.

Official reference: the Sri Lanka bank and payment options page lists DFCC cash, DFCC mobile banking EFT, and card payments. Check the live page before paying.

Step-by-step payment process

  1. Submit the DS-160 and save the confirmation page.
  2. Create a profile on the official Sri Lanka visa service and continue to the payment screen.
  3. Verify the number of applicants, visa category, and LKR amount before generating the slip.
  4. Pay once, for the exact amount shown on the CGI deposit slip.
  5. Save the receipt and the Payment Reference Number — neither can be replaced if lost, and you cannot schedule without them.
  6. Return to your profile to schedule the interview once the receipt activates.

Sri Lanka-specific payment rules

  • The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, whether or not a visa is issued.
  • Do not print multiple deposit slips. One slip and one payment covers a whole family or group.
  • The DFCC branch requires you to fill in its own deposit slip as well — copy every field from the CGI slip exactly.
  • Underpaying for your visa class can block scheduling.
  • F, M, and J students and exchange visitors also owe a separate SEVIS fee on fmjfee.com — the MRV payment does not cover it.

Questions commonly searched in Sri Lanka

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

The fee is set in U.S. dollars — $185 for B visitor and F/M/J student visas, higher for petition-based categories — and the LKR amount follows the consular exchange rate printed on your deposit slip. Confirm the current amount on the Department of State fee schedule.

Can I pay from a bank other than DFCC?

The cash and mobile-banking options are DFCC-specific. If you do not bank with DFCC, use the Visa/Mastercard option or pay cash at a DFCC branch.

What is the CGI reference number?

It is the payment identifier on your deposit slip. The DFCC app asks for it under "Reference No/Customer ID", and it is what links your payment to your appointment profile — keep it safe.

Can a family pay together?

Yes. One CGI deposit slip and one payment cover all applicants in the same profile.

Can I use a fee paid in Sri Lanka for an interview in another country?

No. The fee is tied to applying in Sri Lanka. If you switch countries, expect to create a profile in that country's system and pay again.

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