Because US visa prices are subject to vary, you should double-check the total cost of your application before submitting it. There are two types of visas in the United States: temporary or nonimmigrant visas and immigrant visas. Nonimmigrant visas are for people who want to visit the United States temporarily, whereas immigrant visas are for those who want to stay in the country permanently.
Costs of temporary USA visas
Nonimmigrant visas, commonly known as temporary US visas, are classifications that allow visitors to stay in the United States for a limited time. For example, you might use the B visa for tourism or the L-1 visa to shift to a US branch of your company to work. Applicants seeking nonimmigrant visas in the United States must pay a visa processing charge known as the MRV (Machine Readable Visa).
When booking your visa interview, pay the MRV on the Applicant Service Center (ASC) website. The MRV must be paid in your native currency with a debit card. The MRV is not transferrable or refundable. This fee will be forfeited if your application is denied. It’s also illegal to transfer the MRV charge to another application or applicant. If you cancel your visa appointment and do not reschedule within 12 months, you will not be reimbursed for the MRV charge. The degree of MRV will be determined by the visa being sought.
MRV fees for USA nonimmigrant visas
- Non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas e.g for tourist, business, student, transit, ship/aircrew, journalist & media, and exchange visitor visas cost $160.
- Petition-based visas e.g for persons with extraordinary ability, athletes, artists, entertainers, International Cultural Exchange, religious workers, temporary workers, or trainees visas cost $190.
- E Visas e.g for treaty investors and Australian Professional Specialty cost $205.
- K Visas e.g for fiancé(e) or spouse of a U.S. Citizen cost $265.
Other nonimmigrant visas
- Border Crossing Card Fees: For those under the age of 15, the card costs sixteen dollars and is valid for ten years or until the applicant reaches the age of fifteen, whichever comes first. It costs $160 and is valid for ten years for those aged 15 and up.
- The $500 L Visa fraud prevention and detection fee.
- Certain H-1B and L-1 individuals cost $4,500.
Immigrant visa fees
Non-US citizens can apply for immigrant visas to live permanently in the United States. Non-US spouses may apply to live with their husband or wife in the United States, or workers may be sponsored by their employer to remain in the United States as lawful permanent residents. The following fees apply to immigrant visa processing:
- Immigrant Visa interview and processing fee (forms I-130, I-600, or I-800) costs $325 for immediate relatives and family preference applicants.
- Applicants seeking work: The interview and processing fee for an immigrant visa (Form I-140 petition) cost $345.
- The immigrant Visa interview and processing fee (forms I-360, DS-117, or DS-1884) for special immigrants is $205.
- Visa Lottery costs $330 for diverse immigrants.
- It costs $180 to apply for Returning Resident Status (Form DS-117).
- It costs $575 to apply for a travel document (Carrier Documentation, form I-131A).
- The I-130 Immigrant Visa Petition costs $535 to complete.
- The I-360 application costs $435.
- The MRV charge for a fiancée or spouse of a US citizen is $265.
- Affidavit of Support: It costs $120 for an affidavit of support. The cost is paid by USA citizen sponsors who promise to financially support the application until they are allowed to work in the United States.
- Medical examinations: As part of your immigrant visa application, you may be required to undergo a medical examination. Medical examinations for immigration vary in price. You should budget roughly $200, though it may be as low as $100 or as high as $500.
- DNA test: This can assist in proving genetic links that are used to support an immigrant visa application. It is completely voluntary, and the applicant is liable for the charges, which vary depending on the provider. Fees for vaccinations and lab tests differ depending on the exact requirement.