Individuals applying for a U.S. non-immigrant visa are generally required to pay certain government fees as part of the visa application process. Fees vary, depending on the visa category and the type of application.
In most cases, applicants must first pay the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) application fee before scheduling a visa interview. Depending on the visa type, applicants may also be required to pay additional charges, such as visa issuance (reciprocity) fees, Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fees, fraud prevention fees, or other statutory fees.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of U.S. non-immigrant visa fees and applicable exemptions across various visa categories.
1. Non-immigrant Visa Application Fee (MRV Fee)
The Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee is mandatory for most non-immigrant visa applications. It is non-refundable and non-transferable. Each applicant must pay it individually, including children, regardless of whether the visa is approved or denied.
Application fees vary by visa category.
Non-Petition-Based Visa Categories
The following are non-petition-based visa categories:
- Business Visitor Visa (B-1)
- Tourist Visa (B-2)
- Transit Visa (C-1)
- Crew Member Visa (D)
- Student Visas (F and M)
- Journalist and Media Visa (I)
- Exchange Visitor Visa (J)
- Victims of Human Trafficking (T)
- Victims of Criminal Activity (U)
- NAFTA Professionals (TN/TD)
Application Fee: $185
Petition-Based Work Visas
Petition-based visa categories require additional processing because employers must obtain approval from U.S. immigration authorities before applicants may apply for a visa.
Common petition-based visa categories include:
- H visas – Temporary workers (including H-1B)
- L visas – Intracompany transferees
- O visas – Individuals with extraordinary ability
- P visas – Athletes, artists, and entertainers
- Q visas – Cultural exchange visitors
- R visas – Religious workers
Application Fee: $205
Fiancé(e) Visa
Applicants for a K visa (fiancé or fiancée of a U.S. citizen) must pay a higher application fee due to additional administrative processing.
Application Fee: $265
Treaty Trader and Investor Visas
Applicants for E visas include treaty traders, treaty investors, and certain specialty occupation workers.
Application Fee: $315
The fee is generally payable directly at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate during the visa application process.
2. Additional Fees for Certain Visa Categories
Certain visa categories require additional government fees beyond the standard application fee.
SEVIS Fee for Students and Exchange Visitors
Students and exchange visitors must pay the SEVIS fee before attending their visa interview:
- F-1 and M-1 students: $350
- J-1 exchange visitors: $220
- F-2, M-2, and J-2 dependents: Exempt from SEVIS fee
Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee
Applicants for L-1 blanket visas must pay a Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee.
The fee supports efforts to detect and prevent immigration fraud.
Fee: $500
Public Law Fee for Certain H-1B and L-1 Employers
Some employers with H-1B or L-1 workers must pay a statutory fee.
The fee applies to employers that:
- Have more than 50 employees in the United States
- Have more than 50% of their workforce is in H-1B or L-1 status
Additional fees include:
- H-1B petitions: $4,000
- L-1 petitions: $4,500
The fees apply to both initial and extension petitions.
3. Visa Issuance Fee (Reciprocity Fee)
In addition to the application fee, certain applicants must pay a visa issuance fee, also known as the reciprocity fee, after their application is approved.
The issuance fee depends on the following:
- The applicant’s nationality
- The visa category
- Reciprocity agreements between the United States and the applicant’s home country
If applicable, the fee must be paid before the visa can be issued by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
If the visa is refused, the issuance fee may be refundable depending on the method of payment and local embassy procedures.
4. Border Crossing Card (BCC) Fees
Mexican citizens applying for a Border Crossing Card (BCC) must pay the following:
- Applicants aged 15 or older: $185
- Applicants under 15 years old: $17
5. When the Non-immigrant Visa Application Processing Fee Is Not Required
While most applicants must pay the visa application fee, certain individuals are exempt from the MRV processing fee.
Applicants who may qualify for an exemption include:
Diplomatic and Official Visa Applicants
Applicants for the following visa categories are generally exempt:
- A-1 and A-2 visas
- C-2 and C-3 visas
- G-1 through G-4 visas
- NATO-1 through NATO-6 visas
U.S. Government-Sponsored Exchange Visitors
Applicants participating in exchange visitor programs sponsored by the U.S. government under the J visa category may be exempt from paying the application fee.
Family Members of U.S. Government Employees
Certain family members accompanying U.S. government employees traveling on official business may qualify for a fee exemption.
Charitable Service Participants
Applicants traveling to the United States to participate in recognized charitable activities may be eligible for a fee waiver.
Participants in U.S. Government Cultural or Educational Programs
Applicants participating in official U.S. government-sponsored educational, cultural, or humanitarian exchange programs may not be required to pay the application fee.
Visa Replacement Due to Government Error
If a visa was issued incorrectly due to a U.S. government administrative error, and a replacement visa is issued within one year, the application fee may be waived.
6. When the Non-immigrant Visa Issuance Fee Is Not Required
Some visa categories are generally exempt from paying the visa issuance (reciprocity) fee, regardless of nationality.
Applicants for the following visas typically do not need to pay the issuance fee:
- A visas – Diplomatic officials and foreign government representatives
- C-1 visas – Transit travelers
- C-1/D visas – Airline or ship crew members
- F visas – Academic students and their dependents
- J visas – Exchange visitors and their dependents
- M visas – Vocational students and their dependents
- G visas – Representatives of international organizations
- T visas – Victims of human trafficking
However, visa issuance fees ultimately depend on reciprocity agreements between the United States and the applicant’s country of citizenship. Therefore, applicants from some countries may not be required to pay the issuance fee even if their visa category normally requires it.
7. Newly Introduced Visa Integrity Fee (Effective 2025–2026)
A significant change in recent years is the introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee, which applies to most non-immigrant visa categories.
It is intended to strengthen compliance with U.S. immigration rules and discourage visa overstays. It acts as a form of security deposit to ensure visa holders comply with the terms of their stay.
Visa Integrity Fee: $250
It applies to most visa categories, including:
- B-1/B-2 visitor visas
- F-1 student visas
- J-1 exchange visitor visas
- H-1B and other work visas
In many cases, the fee is paid after visa approval but before issuance and is separate from the regular MRV application fee.
Conclusion
The cost of obtaining a U.S. non-immigrant visa may involve several different fees depending on the visa category and the applicant’s nationality.
Immigration policies and fee structures may change periodically; applicants should always verify the latest fee information from official U.S. government sources or consult an immigration professional before submitting their visa application.
