Last reviewed: August 31, 2026
How Much Does a U.S. Visa Cost? Full Fee Breakdown
Most visitors pay $185 — but that is rarely the whole cost. Students owe a second federal fee, some nationalities owe a third after approval, and several charges people expect to pay are not real. Here is the complete picture.
1. The visa application fee (MRV) — everyone pays this
Charged once per applicant, including children, and non-refundable whether or not the visa is issued.
| Amount | Visa categories | | --- | --- | | $185 | B-1/B-2 visitor, F student, M vocational, J exchange, C transit, D crew, I media, and other non-petition categories | | $205 | Petition-based work visas — H, L, O, P, Q, R | | $315 | E treaty trader and treaty investor | | $265 | K fiancé(e) |
Confirm the current amount on the Department of State fee schedule before paying — these change.
2. The SEVIS fee — students and exchange visitors only
Paid separately at fmjfee.com against your SEVIS ID, before the interview. It is not covered by the MRV fee.
| Amount | Who | | --- | --- | | $350 | F-1 students and M-1 vocational students | | $220 | J-1 exchange visitors (most categories) |
So a typical F-1 student pays $185 + $350 = $535 in federal fees before any other cost.
3. The reciprocity fee — some nationalities, after approval
Charged only if the visa is approved, and only for certain nationality-and-category combinations. It mirrors what your country charges U.S. citizens, so it ranges from nothing to several hundred dollars. Check the reciprocity schedule for your nationality — most applicants owe nothing.
4. Costs that are not the visa fee
- The DS-160 itself is free. There is no charge to complete or submit it. Anyone charging you to "file the DS-160" is charging for typing.
- Petition fees (I-129, I-140) are paid by the U.S. employer to USCIS, not by you at the consulate.
- Visa bonds apply only where the Department of State has imposed them on specific nationalities, and only when a consular officer instructs you — up to $15,000 in current pilot programmes. Never pay a bond before being told to, and never through a third-party site.
- Courier and photo costs are small but real in some countries: passport return delivery, and printed photos where the post requires them. You can avoid photo studio fees with the free photo tool.
What a typical applicant actually pays
| Applicant | Fees owed | | --- | --- | | Tourist (B-1/B-2) | $185 | | F-1 student | $535 ($185 + $350 SEVIS) | | J-1 exchange visitor | $405 ($185 + $220 SEVIS) | | H-1B worker | $205 (employer pays the petition separately) | | K-1 fiancé(e) | $265 | | E-2 investor | $315 |
Add a reciprocity fee only if your nationality and category call for one.
Currency and where you actually pay
You never pay the U.S. government directly. Each country has one authorized service, and the local-currency amount is set by the consular exchange rate, not your bank's. Methods differ sharply — UPI in India, boleto and Pix in Brazil, convenience-store cash in Indonesia, bank counters in much of Africa and Asia.
See the country-by-country payment guides for the exact authorized service and accepted methods where you will interview.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a U.S. tourist visa cost?
$185 for the B-1/B-2 application fee. Most tourists owe nothing further; a small number of nationalities owe a reciprocity fee after approval.
Is the fee refundable if I am denied?
No. The MRV fee pays for processing the application, not for a positive outcome. It is non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of the result.
How long is the fee valid?
Generally one year from the date of payment — you must schedule the interview within that window, though the interview itself can fall later. Rules vary slightly by country.
Do children pay the full fee?
Yes. Every applicant needs their own DS-160 and their own fee, including infants. A small number of posts have reduced-fee arrangements for specific child categories — Mexico is one.
Why is my country's amount different from $185?
It is not — the fee is set in dollars and converted at the consular exchange rate published by the appointment service in your country. A different-looking number is the same fee in local currency.
Do I pay again if I am refused and reapply?
Usually yes. A 214(b) refusal closes the case, so reapplying means a new fee. A 221(g) hold is different — the case stays open and you normally do not pay again.