Cost Of Getting A Visa To The United States

If you are planning a trip to the United States, one of the first things you will need to know is how much your visa will cost. The actual cost of your visa depends on several factors, including the type of visa you are applying for and your citizenship country.

Of course, you will want to know how much each visa costs before your trip to get a good idea of what you are in for. Aside from the usual visa application fees, there are several other fees to remember. All applicants for a visa to the US must pay a visa application fee to the US authorities. However, how much does applying for a visa in the US cost?

Well, it depends! How much does an application fee cost, and when must you pay it? It all depends on the visa category you are applying for. For example, you will pay different processing fees for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. That is why knowing which US authority charges what processing fees is important.

That is why we have put together this comprehensive guide that will tell you everything there is to know about the fees to get a visa to the US.

Overview of the cost of a visa to the US

One of the first things you need to know is your visa application fees. While this guide has been created to answer these questions, it is also important to consider your living conditions once you move to the United States. For example, many first-time immigrants may be surprised to learn that credit history is important in the United States.

Access to essential services such as apartment rentals, cell phone plans, credit cards, and car leases often depends on your credit score. Since your credit history cannot be transferred from your home country to the United States, having a credit score typically means building one from the ground up.

Visa fee at the US consulate

The visa fee, also known as a consular fee, application fee, or, in technical jargon, machine-readable visa (MRV) fee, is the mandatory fee for each visa application. Only after you pay the visa fee can you schedule your consular interview at the US consulate. Visa fees are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

If your visa application is canceled or your visa to the US is rejected, you will not be reimbursed for the visa fee. You cannot transfer visa fees to family members or friends. The visa fee varies according to the visa category you are applying for. In other words, there are partially different visa fees depending on your visa category.

The application fee was the same when applying for a nonimmigrant visa. However, due to the different levels of effort and associated costs, the fee was gradually graduated according to the visa category. Since then, this fee structure has been used at all US consulates worldwide. While visa fees are quoted in US dollars, you pay in your national currency.

As a result, visa fees are subject to fluctuations in the exchange rate, and therefore, fees are often reduced or increased.

How to pay the visa fee?

You can pay the visa fee at the US consulate worldwide. You can pay via online bank transfer, debit card, credit card, or cash deposit at your bank. When you pay the visa fee, follow all the instructions carefully to register your payment quickly. Make sure that you always include your reference number.

In the worst case scenario, you will need to pay the visa fee again. You will get a payment receipt that is valid for 1 year. This means the visa fee will be valid for 1 year from the date you pay it. You should book an interview appointment during this period, as you will have to pay it again after the 12-month period ends.

SEVIS fee

The SEVIS fee applies to F, J, and M applications for visas to the US and depends on the category you are applying for. The SEVIS fee must be paid before your consular interview. You can pay for your visa online using your credit card. The proof of payment must accompany your consular application, or it will be rejected.

Learn more about the I-901 student and exchange visitor information system (SEVIS) fee by talking with an immigration lawyer.

Fee for home delivery

When your visa has been stamped on your passport, you can pick it up at the US consulate or embassy. You won’t have to pay any extra cost. However, if you opt for home delivery of your passport stamped with your visa to the US, you will have to pay an extra fee for this service.

If you want your passport sent by post to an address other than the one listed above, you will have to pay a premium rate for the service. Contact the US consulate or embassy in your country of residence to find out more about the fees and delivery options available for your passport, or consult one of our immigration lawyers.

Reciprocity fee

Reciprocity fees are fees nationals of certain countries must pay before their approved visa to the US is issued. They exist when another country charges a fee to US citizens for the same visa class or a similar service. Not all visas are subject to a reciprocity fee. Reciprocity fees are extra fees based on the government reciprocity principle.

That is, if a foreign government charges US citizens for a certain type of visa, the United States will also charge that country’s citizens for similar types of visas. For example, if an American citizen must pay an additional fee to obtain a visitor visa from China, that also applies to Chinese citizens seeking a B-1/B-2 visitor visa to the US.

Under the reciprocity principle, the United States Department of State may charge an additional fee or issue a visa with a shortened period of validity (or both) to applicants from certain countries or for certain visa categories, depending on the applicant’s nationality and the visa category they are applying for.

If you are applying through a pre-arranged appointment, the US embassy will advise whether you need an issuance fee. If you apply through the courier service and your application is accepted, the US embassy will inform you by mail that you will be required to pay an issuance fee. For UK passport holders, there is only a reciprocity issue fee for the L-2 or E-2 visa.

The reciprocity fee does not apply in the following circumstances:

• Members of staff of the United Nations (UN) and their families.
• Transferring to the UN headquarters.
• Part of a program sponsored by the US government and their spouses and children.
• Traveling for charity purposes.

You can find out if you must pay a reciprocity fee by speaking with an immigration lawyer. You can also pay by credit card or cash at your US consulate.

The fraud fee

This fee prevents and detects fraud. It is paid as part of the L-blanket visa application. You can only pay the fraud fee by credit card or cash during the interview session at the US consulate.

Diversity visa fee

The US diversity visa lottery is for individuals who want to test their luck and be selected for an immigrant visa to the United States by chance. Applicants sign up for the visa lottery every year, and the US institutions decide how many winners are selected each year.

The usual time to sign up for the visa is in November. Applicants are then evaluated during the year for their visa applications. Aside from the application and signup fees, there aren’t many fees associated with the diversity visa.

Fees paid to the USCIS

A lot of visas to the US require prior application with the USCIS. You may need to submit a petition beforehand, depending on the category you are applying for. This is the case for almost all US work visa applications. Unlike most other federal agencies in the United States, the USCIS is funded almost entirely by fees.

As of 1 April 2024, the fee structures have undergone extensive changes and are much more varied. Some fees are required for every applicant (like the USCIS standard fee), while others are optional (like the premium processing fee).

Fee for immigration lawyers

Due to the intricacy of the application process for a US visa, you may need to hire an immigration lawyer to manage your petition, which will come with fees. You can hire an experienced US immigration lawyer or a lawyer to write a business case for you if you are applying for an E-2 visa.

While some petitions are easy, others require a significant amount of time and experience due to the complexities of the case. For example, if you are seeking a work visa and need to clear a past criminal conviction to qualify for the criminal waiver. The criminal waiver is a complex application that requires an in-depth understanding of US immigration law to build a compelling case.

Medical fee

Under certain conditions, you may be required to undergo a medical check-up. The cost of immigration medical check-ups varies. You can expect to pay about $200. However, depending on the requirement, this can range from $100 to $500. DNA testing can be used to confirm genetic relationships that you are relying on as a basis for your immigration visa application.

This test is optional, and the cost will vary from provider to provider. You will also need to pay for vaccinations and laboratory test fees, which also vary depending on the requirements.

Premium processing fee

Depending on the visa category to the US you are applying for, you can expect to have your petition processed within 15-45 business days if you book the accelerated I-907 request for premium processing service. However, this doesn’t mean you will receive a decision on your petition within 15-45 days. The USCIS may ask further questions about your application at any point during this time frame, which can dramatically increase your processing time.

Get help!

We hope that we have answered one of the most common questions in visa applications: How much does a visa cost? As you have seen, there is no general solution to this question. Several factors affect the cost of a visa to the US, and it will vary depending on the visa type you are applying for.

Doing your research before applying for a visa is always a good idea. That way, you won’t be overwhelmed by the process. At Gehi and Associates, we can simplify the visa application process for you. Our immigration lawyers have vast experience handling even the most complex visa application process.

Contact us today if you need help with the US visa application process!