Planning a trip to the United States involves more than just booking flights and accommodation. Understanding the costs associated with obtaining a U.S. travel visa is a crucial part of your preparation. Many travelers find the visa application process confusing, especially when it comes to fees. This guide breaks down the different types of U.S. visa fees, ensuring you’re fully informed and prepared for your application.
Understanding the Basics of U.S. Visa Fees
The U.S. Department of State collects various fees for visa services. It’s important to note that in most cases, a non-refundable visa application processing fee is required for every applicant, regardless of whether the visa is ultimately issued. These fees are tiered and depend on the type of visa you are applying for.
There are primarily two main categories of U.S. visas: nonimmigrant visas for temporary stays and immigrant visas for permanent residency. Each category has its own fee structure, and there are also fees for special visa services. Let’s delve into the details of each.
Nonimmigrant Visa Fees: Costs for Temporary Stays in the U.S.
Nonimmigrant visas are for travelers planning to visit the United States for a temporary period, whether for tourism, business, study, or temporary work. The application processing fees for these visas vary based on the visa category.
Non-Petition Based Visas: Common Visa Categories
For many common nonimmigrant visas, those that are not based on a petition approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the application processing fee is $185.00. These visas include popular categories such as tourist visas (B visas), student visas (F and M visas), and exchange visitor visas (J visas).
This category generally applies to individuals who are applying on their own behalf and not based on an employer or sponsor petition. Here’s a breakdown of visa categories under this fee:
| Visa Category | Description |
|---|---|
| B | Visitor Visa: Business, Tourism, Medical treatment |
| C-1 | Transiting the United States |
| D | Crewmembers – Airline, Ship |
| F | Student, Academic |
| I | Media and Journalists |
| J | Exchange Visitors |
| M | Students, Vocational |
| TN/TD | NAFTA Professionals |
| S | Witness or Informant* |
| T | Victim of Trafficking in Persons* |
| U | Victim of Criminal Activity* |
*Though petition-based nonimmigrant visas, the processing fee for these visas is $185.00
Petition-Based Visas: Work and Specialized Visas
Certain nonimmigrant visas require a petition to be filed on your behalf by a U.S. employer or sponsor with USCIS. The application processing fee for these petition-based visa categories is slightly higher at $205.00. These visas are typically for temporary workers and those with specialized skills.
Visa categories falling under this fee amount are:
| Visa Category | Description |
|---|---|
| H | Temporary Workers/Employment or Trainees |
| L | Intracompany Transferees |
| O | Persons with Extraordinary Ability |
| P | Athletes, Artists & Entertainers |
| Q | International Cultural Exchange |
| R | Religious Worker |
Treaty Trader/Investor and Fiancé(e) Visas
There are specific nonimmigrant visa categories with different fee amounts. E visas for Treaty Traders and Investors, as well as Australian Professional Specialty category visas, have a processing fee of $315.00. The K visa, for Fiancé(e) or Spouse of a U.S. citizen, has a fee of $265.00.
Border Crossing Card Fees
For certain individuals, particularly Mexican citizens who frequently cross the border, border crossing cards are available. The fee for a border crossing card for applicants age 15 and over (valid for 10 years) is $185.00. For applicants under age 15, who are Mexican citizens and whose parent or guardian has or is applying for a border crossing card, the fee is $15.00 (valid for 10 years or until the applicant reaches age 15, whichever is sooner).
Other Potential Nonimmigrant Visa Fees
Beyond the standard application processing fees, there are other fees that may apply in specific situations. For L blanket petition visas, a fraud prevention and detection fee of $500.00 is required for the principal applicant. Additionally, certain companies with a high percentage of H-1B and L-1 employees may need to pay a significant additional fee of $4,500.00 for blanket L-1 visa applications for principal applicants. This fee is mandated by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016.
Immigrant Visa Fees: Costs for Permanent Residency
Immigrant visas are for individuals who intend to live permanently in the United States. The fee structure for immigrant visas is different from nonimmigrant visas.
Immigrant Petition Filing Fees
When a U.S. Embassy or Consulate collects fees on behalf of USCIS for filing an immigrant petition, the fees are as follows (note that these are subject to change by USCIS):
| Petition Type | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Immigrant petition for relative (I-130) | $675.00 |
| Orphan (intercountry adoption) immediate relative petition (I-600, I-800) | $775.00 |
Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fees
The non-refundable application processing fees for immigrant visas are also tiered:
| Visa Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Immediate relative and family preference applications (based on approved I-130, I-600 or I-800 petition) | $325.00 |
| Employment-based applications (based on approved I-140 or I-526 petition) | $345.00 |
| Other immigrant visa applications (including approved I-360, special immigrant visas, returning resident (SB-1)) | $205.00 |
| Diversity Visa Lottery program selectees (per person) | $330.00 |
Other Immigrant Visa Fees
An Affidavit of Support Review, when conducted domestically, incurs a fee of $120.00.
Special Visa Services Fees
Beyond the standard visa application and petition fees, there are also fees for special services related to visas:
| Service Description | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Application for Determining Returning Resident Status, Form DS-117 | $180.00 |
| Transportation letter for Legal Permanent Residents of the United States | $575.00 |
| Application for Waiver of two-year residency requirement, J Waiver, Form DS-3035 | $120.00 |
| Application for Waiver of visa ineligibility, Form I-601 (Collected for USCIS, subject to change) | $930.00 |
When Are Visa Fees Not Required?
In certain specific circumstances, the nonimmigrant visa application processing fee is waived. These include:
- Applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, and diplomatic visas.
- Applicants for J visas participating in official U.S. Government-sponsored educational and cultural exchanges.
- Replacement of a machine-readable visa when the original was improperly affixed or needed reissuance through no fault of the applicant.
- Applicants exempted by international agreement, such as UN observer mission members and staff.
- Applicants traveling to provide charitable services.
- U.S. government employees on official business.
- Family members of U.S. government employees killed or critically injured in the line of duty traveling for funeral/burial or emergency visitation.
Similarly, the nonimmigrant visa issuance fee is waived for:
- Official representatives of foreign governments or international organizations, and diplomatic visa applicants.
- Applicants transiting to and from the United Nations Headquarters.
- Participants in U.S. government-sponsored programs (and potentially their dependents).
- Applicants traveling to provide charitable services.
Navigating Visa Costs for Your U.S. Trip
Understanding the fees associated with U.S. travel visas is essential for budgeting and planning your trip. The cost of a travel visa to the USA varies depending on the type of visa you require, ranging from $185 for many common nonimmigrant visas to higher fees for specific categories and services. Always refer to the official U.S. Department of State website for the most up-to-date fee information, as these fees are subject to change. Being well-informed will help ensure a smoother and more financially predictable visa application process.
