How Much Does a US Visa Cost in 2026: Updated Official Fee Schedule

Calculating the true cost of a U.S. non-immigrant visa requires separating three distinct blocks: the mandatory consular fee paid to the U.S. government, the operational charges collected by applicant service centers around the world, and the variable expenses tied to each applicant’s profile. Confusion among these blocks is the main reason budgets go wrong. This guide consolidates the official figures in effect for 2026 for anyone applying outside the United States, regardless of nationality or chosen consulate.

The MRV Fee as a Universal Mandatory Cost

The Machine Readable Visa Application Fee, known as the MRV fee, is the only fee that every non-immigrant visa applicant must pay before scheduling an interview. It is charged by the U.S. Department of State and funds the administrative processing of the application, not its approval. The amount is the same at every U.S. consulate worldwide, although the conversion currency and payment system vary by country.

Infants, children, teenagers, and seniors pay exactly the same amount as adults. There is no family discount, age-based scaling, or reduced consular rate. Each applicant registers an individual payment linked to their own DS-160 confirmation number.

Official MRV Fee Schedule by Category

The E categories are included for completeness, though they follow a distinct processing track at most consular posts. For immigrant visas based on family or employment, fees are charged by the National Visa Center under a completely separate structure and fall outside the scope of this guide.

How Payment Is Processed in Each Country

The Department of State does not directly receive payment in local currency. In each country with a U.S. consular post, consular operations are outsourced to a vendor that manages the applicant service center, scheduling system, and payment channel. This vendor varies by jurisdiction and may be CGI Federal, GDIT, VFS Global, or similar providers.

The standard flow requires the applicant to create an account on the local consular portal, generate a payment reference, and settle the amount through one of the available methods in the jurisdiction: a local bank payment equivalent, domestic transfer, international credit card, or instant payment where available. Scheduling is only unlocked once the payment is recognized in the system, which can take anywhere from a few minutes to three business days depending on the method.

The exchange rate applied follows the consular rate of the day, which is frequently higher than the commercial rate. Payments by international credit card may add transaction taxes, card issuer spreads, and local fees, which typically makes this option more expensive than a local bank transfer or equivalent domestic payment.

Validity Rules and No-Refund Policy

Three rules apply to the MRV fee in any country and should be memorized before payment. The fee is valid for one year from the date of payment. If the applicant is unable to secure an interview slot within that period, the amount paid is forfeited and a new fee must be paid to restart the process.

The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. A denied visa, voluntary withdrawal, failure to appear for the interview, a technical scheduling issue, or a change of plans: none of these scenarios entitles the applicant to a refund. The payment covers review, not outcome.

The fee is non-transferable between individuals. An erroneous payment made in another person’s name cannot be reallocated. Each payment reference is tied to the individual DS-160 of a specific applicant.

Passport Delivery Fee and Photographs

After visa approval, the passport is held at the service center until the consular visa sticker is affixed and the document is returned. Two universal options exist: in-person pickup at the service center or at authorized locations, at no additional cost, or home delivery via a courier fee paid to the local operator. Delivery charges range from approximately five to fifteen dollars equivalent, depending on the contract with the carrier in each country, and must be selected during scheduling. Applicants who miss the selection window are required to use in-person pickup.

The consular photo follows the U.S. standard: 2×2 inches (approximately 5×5 cm), white background, no glasses, and no shadows. Some centers offer free digital capture at the time of biometric collection; others require the applicant to bring a printed photo that meets the exact standard. This detail varies by post and is specified in the appointment confirmation.

The $250 Visa Integrity Fee and Its Current Status

In July 2025, the U.S. Congress created a new charge called the Visa Integrity Fee, set at a minimum of US$ 250 per non-immigrant visa application, indexed to annual inflation. The legal provision is found in Section 100007 of Public Law 119-21, known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The fee was designed as refundable: applicants who fully comply with the terms of their visa, including departing within the authorized period and refraining from unauthorized work, will be entitled to a refund after their authorized stay expires.

As of the publication of this guide, the Department of State has not yet issued operational regulations for collection, integration with consular payment systems, or the refund mechanism. Until the fee is effectively implemented, no consular post charges the Visa Integrity Fee. Applicants should confirm the status on the official portal travel.state.gov before making any payment, especially for long-duration visa categories.

Variable Costs in the Total Budget

Official fees cover only the government’s portion of the process. Four additional costs vary according to each applicant’s profile and should be included in the budget.

A valid passport is an absolute prerequisite. Applicants who do not have one or whose passport is nearing expiration must renew it before starting the application. The cost depends on the issuing authority in each country of nationality.

Travel to the consular service center can be significant. In jurisdictions with a single post covering an entire country, applicants from inland areas may need to budget for airfare, ground transportation, lodging, and meals for up to two days. In countries with multiple posts, it is worth evaluating which offers the best appointment availability.

The SEVIS fee applies to students and exchange program participants. F-1 and M-1 applicants pay US$ 350 to the SEVIS system before the interview; J-1 applicants pay US$ 220, except categories subsidized by the U.S. government. This payment is independent of the MRV fee and has its own receipt that must be presented at the interview.

Petition-based applications depend on an I-129 or I-140 petition already approved by USCIS. USCIS fees are charged to the employer or petitioner in the United States and do not affect the personal budget of the applicant attending the consulate.

Consolidated Summary of Universal Costs

Frequently Asked Questions About Visa Costs

The fee is the same at any U.S. consulate

Yes. The MRV fee in U.S. dollars is set by the Department of State and applies at all consular posts worldwide. Only the conversion currency and payment method vary by jurisdiction.

The fee can be paid in installments

No. All U.S. consular payments are due in full, regardless of the chosen method. Credit cards allow installment arrangements through the applicant’s card issuer, but this does not change the amount received by the consulate.

What happens if the visa is denied

The amount paid is not refunded. For a new attempt, the applicant must pay the full fee again, complete a new DS-160, and schedule a new interview. There is no reduced fee for reapplication.

Renewal costs the same as a first application

Yes. The MRV fee is identical for a first application and a renewal. Interview waiver renewals, where available in the jurisdiction, may save travel costs but do not reduce the consular fee.

The fee covers accompanying family members

No. Each applicant pays their own fee, regardless of family relationship. Couples and families multiply the per-applicant amount by the number of applicants.

The official cost of a U.S. non-immigrant visa is low and predictable: between US$ 185 and US$ 315 per applicant depending on the category, plus SEVIS for students and exchange visitors. What typically inflates the budget are personal variables, especially travel to a consular post, lodging in capital cities, and an eventual passport renewal. Planning the payment at least three months in advance reduces the risk of errors and allows time to choose the best currency conversion method.

Victoria Harper

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