US Visa Fees 2026: Full Cost Breakdown ($185 Is Just the Start)

US Visa Fees 2026: What You'll Pay Beyond the Application Fee

The US visa fee structure is deceptively simple on the surface — $185 for a B1/B2 tourist visa, paid at a designated bank or online. But the American system has layers of additional costs that vary by nationality, visa type, and how you pay. Some applicants face reciprocity-based "issuance fees" on top of the application fee. Students pay a separate SEVIS fee. And unlike the Schengen system, the US doesn't use outsourced service centres with add-on fees — but that doesn't mean the total cost is lower.

As of 2026, here's everything you need to budget for.

Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) Application Fees

This is the base fee paid by all nonimmigrant visa applicants. The State Department calls it the MRV fee.

The fee increase from $160 to $185 for most categories took effect in 2023 and remains current as of 2026. Check the State Department website for the latest, as fee adjustments are announced periodically.

SEVIS Fee (Students and Exchange Visitors Only)

If you're applying for an F, M, or J visa, you must pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee separately — this is paid to the Department of Homeland Security, not the State Department.

Pay the SEVIS fee at fmjfee.com at least 3 business days before your interview. You'll need your SEVIS ID number from your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Keep the receipt — the consular officer will verify payment during your interview.

Visa Issuance (Reciprocity) Fees

This is the fee most applicants don't see coming. After your visa is approved, some nationalities are charged an additional "issuance fee" based on what that country charges American citizens for equivalent visas. This is a reciprocity-based system.

Issuance fees change periodically. The State Department maintains a reciprocity schedule at travel.state.gov — search for your specific nationality and visa type. This fee is only charged if your visa is approved, and it's typically paid at the time of passport collection.

Hidden Costs Most Applicants Miss

DS-160 Photos

The DS-160 application requires a digital photo (600x600 pixels) uploaded during the form, plus a physical 2x2 inch (51x51mm) photo brought to the interview. The US has strict photo requirements — white background, specific face proportions, no glasses. Many photo studios know the US specs, but get it wrong and you'll redo it at the embassy for $5-10 or face delays.

Bank Fee for MRV Payment

In many countries, the MRV fee is paid at specific banks (Citibank, Axis Bank in India, etc.) or via a country-specific payment portal. Banks sometimes charge a processing fee of $2-5 on top of the visa fee. If paying by deposit slip, you'll need exact cash.

Document Preparation

The US consular interview is document-heavy for certain visa types. While tourists might get by with bank statements and an employment letter, student visa applicants typically need:

• University transcripts (official copies: $10-30 each)
• Standardized test scores sent to SEVIS (GRE/GMAT score reports: $27-35 each)
• Financial sponsor documents if someone else is funding your studies

Travel to the Embassy or Consulate

The US has fewer visa interview locations than you might expect. In India, there are 5 consulates. In Nigeria, there are 2 (Abuja and Lagos). If you don't live near one, budget for travel and possibly an overnight stay — interviews are in the morning, and if the nearest consulate is a 6-hour drive away, you're leaving the day before.

Missed Work

US visa interviews require you to appear in person, typically between 7:00-10:00 AM. Expect to spend 2-5 hours at the embassy depending on the crowd. That's a half-day minimum, and if you're travelling to the consulate from another city, it's a full day or more.

Courier / Passport Collection

After approval, your passport with the visa stamp is either returned by courier or collected at a designated location. Courier services typically cost $10-25 depending on the country.

How to Pay the US Visa Fee

The payment system for US visas varies significantly by country. This is intentionally country-specific, so check the instructions on your local embassy's website.

Common payment methods by country:

India: Pay online via the US visa appointment website (ustraveldocs.com/in) using net banking, NEFT, or at any Axis Bank branch using a deposit slip. The system generates a receipt number you'll need to book your appointment.

Nigeria: Pay at designated GTBank branches or online via the appointment portal. Cash payment at the bank requires the exact amount.

Philippines: Pay at BPI bank branches or online via the appointment booking system.

General tips:

• The MRV receipt is valid for 1 year from the date of payment. If you don't attend your interview within that period, the fee expires and you pay again.
• Keep your receipt number — you cannot book an interview without it.
• The fee is denominated in USD but you pay in local currency at the day's exchange rate set by the designated bank. You don't get to shop around for rates.
• Credit cards are generally not accepted for MRV payment in most countries — it's bank transfer, cash deposit, or online banking.

Fee Waivers and Exemptions

The US does offer fee waivers, but they're narrower than most applicants hope:

Exempt from the MRV fee:

• Diplomatic and official visa applicants (A and G categories)
• Certain J visa participants in US government-sponsored programs
• Applicants replacing a machine-readable visa that was issued but not properly laminated or was otherwise defective (through no fault of the applicant)

No general fee reductions for:

• Children (all ages pay the same as adults)
• Seniors
• Repeat applicants
• Low-income applicants

The US does not have an equivalent of the Schengen system's bilateral fee-reduction agreements for most countries. A few exceptions exist for specific visa types — check the reciprocity schedule for your country.

SEVIS fee waivers:

Participants in certain US government-funded exchange programs (like Fulbright) are exempt from the SEVIS fee. Your program sponsor will inform you if this applies.

Realistic Budget Planning

B1/B2 Tourist Visa, single adult:

F-1 Student Visa, single applicant:

What Happens If Your Visa Is Refused

The MRV application fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. This is stated clearly during payment, but it still surprises applicants who receive a 214(b) refusal.

Here's what you need to know:

Section 214(b) Refusal (Most Common):

This means the officer was not convinced you have sufficient ties to your home country. It's not a permanent ban — you can reapply at any time. However, you'll pay the full $185 again. The 214(b) refusal itself doesn't go on a blacklist, but it is recorded in your file, and the next officer will see it.

Section 221(g) Administrative Processing:

This isn't technically a refusal — your application is pending additional review. You don't need to pay again. Your passport may be held during this period, which can take weeks to months. This is common for applicants in certain technical fields or from specific countries.

Reapplication strategy:

• There's no mandatory waiting period after a 214(b) refusal
• But reapplying the next day with identical documents is pointless — you need to demonstrate changed circumstances or provide stronger evidence of ties
• The refusal letter (if you receive one) is usually very brief. The officer might verbally explain the reason, so take mental notes during the interview
• Each reapplication requires a new MRV fee payment

SEVIS fee: If you were refused a student visa, your SEVIS fee is still valid for your next application as long as your I-20 hasn't been cancelled. You don't pay SEVIS again unless your school issues a new I-20 with a different SEVIS ID.

MRV receipt validity: Your $185 receipt is valid for one year. If you're refused and want to reapply within that year using the same receipt — unfortunately, you cannot. A new fee is required for each application.