USA Visa Fee: Questions and Answers

Planning a trip to the United States? Before applying, it’s important to understand the full cost of a U.S. visa. In addition to standard application fees—such as $185 for most tourist and business visas—applicants must now pay a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, introduced to strengthen visa compliance. In this guide, we’ll break down the latest U.S. visa fees and explain how to pay for your application step by step.

U.S. nonimmigrant visa application fee
U.S. Visa Integrity Fee Explained
U.S. immigrant visa application fees
U.S. visa fees for minors
How to pay the U.S. visa fee online?
How to pay the U.S. visa fee in cash?
U.S. visa photo price
Additional fees I need to pay
For how long the paid U.S. visa fee is valid?
Is it possible to get a refund for the US visa fee?
U.S. visa photo online converter

U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fees

As of 2025, the application fee for most nonimmigrant U.S. visas is $185. This includes the B1/B2 visa, commonly issued for tourism and business travel, as well as the category C transit visa.

However, certain nonimmigrant visa categories include additional charges on top of the standard application fee.

For instance, student and exchange visitor visas require payment of the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee, which funds the database tracking international students in the U.S.:

For an F-1 student visa, the SEVIS fee is $350.
For J-1 visas (used for Au Pair, Work and Travel, internships, etc.), the SEVIS fee is typically $220, but can vary between $35 and $180 depending on the specific exchange program category.

Petition-based visas for temporary nonimmigrant workers—such as H, L, O, P, and R categories—now carry an application fee of $310 as of 2025. This includes visas for religious workers, athletes, artists, and other sponsored professionals.

Read more: American P visa for athletes, artists, and cultural figures

Additionally, U.S. employers filing Form I-129 to sponsor these workers must pay a mandatory $600 Asylum Program Fee. This fee, introduced in 2024, supports the U.S. asylum system and is charged per petition. Nonprofit petitioners are charged a reduced rate of $300, and small employers (25 or fewer employees) may also qualify for fee reductions in certain cases.

The base filing fee for a petition to hire an H-1B worker (Form I-129) is $460, which is generally paid by the sponsoring employer. Additional charges may include a $500 fraud prevention fee and a $1,500 ACWIA training fee (or $750 for small employers), depending on the employer’s size and situation.

U.S. Visa Integrity Fee Explained

Starting in Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025), a new non-refundable “Visa Integrity Fee” of $250 USD will be imposed on most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those applying for B, F, J, H, and other work or student visas The fee is charged at the time of visa issuance and is separate from the regular visa application fee.

While the fee is mandatory, applicants may request a refund after their stay, provided they meet strict conditions. To qualify for an integrity fee refund, the visa holder must have fully complied with the terms of their visa, departed the U.S. within five days of its expiration, or legally changed or extended their immigration status during their stay.

Travelers using the Visa Waiver Program (such as citizens of the UK, Japan, or Germany) and most Canadian tourists entering visa-free are not subject to this fee. However, anyone who receives a U.S. visa through consular processing will need to pay it.

As a result, the total cost for many U.S. visa applicants now exceeds $400 when this new fee is included.

U.S. Immigrant Visa Application Fees (2025 Update)

In 2025, immigrant visa application fees vary depending on the visa category and petition form. These fees are generally higher than standard nonimmigrant visa costs and are required for those seeking permanent residence in the United States.

The fiancé and spouse visa categories (K-1 and K-3) carry a Department of State application fee of $265. Family-based immigrant visas, including those based on Form I-130, I-600, or I-800, require a payment of $325. Applicants selected for the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery must pay a processing fee of $330. Employment-based immigrant visas, filed via Form I-140, come with a base fee of $345.

Related: Form I-130: Step-by-Step Guide

Additional 2025 Fee Changes

Following regulatory changes effective in July 2025, the U.S. government has introduced revised filing fees for several immigrant-related forms and procedures:

Form I-130 (Family Sponsorship): $625 when filed online, $675 by paper.
Form I-140 (Immigrant Petition for Workers): $715, with an optional $2,800 premium processing fee.
USCIS Immigrant Fee: Ranges from $220 to $325, required after visa issuance to produce and mail the Green Card.

2025 Immigrant Visa Cost Summary

Visa Type	Application Fee	Additional Fees
K-1/K-3 Fiancé or Spouse Visa	$265	Adjustment of Status (~$1,440)
Family-Based Visa (Form I-130)	$625 (online) / $675 (paper)	USCIS Immigrant Fee ($220–$325)
Diversity Visa (DV Program)	$330	USCIS Immigrant Fee ($220–$325)
Employment-Based Visa (Form I-140)	$715	Premium Processing ($2,800 optional)

U.S. Visa Fees for Minors

In most cases, minors do not have a separate fee category when applying for a U.S. visa. The visa application process and costs are generally the same for children as for adults. For example, in 2025, the standard application fee for a B-1/B-2 tourist visa is $185, regardless of the applicant's age. There are no child-specific discounts for nonimmigrant visa types, and the full fee must be paid at the time of application.

For U.S. visa and immigration purposes, a minor is defined as an unmarried individual under the age of 21. Once a child turns 21, they are no longer considered a dependent minor—even if they are still financially reliant on their parents. This definition applies to both nonimmigrant and immigrant visa categories.

The only fee variations for minors typically arise based on the type of visa, not the applicant’s age. For instance, if a child is applying for a student (F-1) or exchange (J-1) visa, the SEVIS fee may still be required in addition to the visa fee, depending on the program. Also, children selected for the Diversity Visa program must pay the same $330 processing fee as adult applicants.

Parents or guardians should also consider additional costs associated with minor visa applications, such as document translations, notarized consent forms, and visa photos that meet official U.S. standards.

How to Pay the U.S. Visa Fee Online?

For immigrant visas, online fee payments are available through the CEAC platform. Sign in to your account to access your application and pay for it.

Every country has its own visa payment options, so confirm with your local U.S. diplomatic mission the available steps, including online bank payments through local banks.

How to Pay the U.S. Visa Fee in Cash?

As a rule, U.S. diplomatic missions worldwide have their own payment methods in each country of operation. These embassies and consulates cooperate with national banks to accept visa fee payments, usually in local currency, based on the exchange rate set by the U.S. embassy in that jurisdiction. You can find out how to pay the U.S. visa application on the website of your country's consulate.

US Visa Photo Price

As we’re not talking about one specific country, giving a range of US visa photo prices is difficult. The prices for photo studio services can vary even in one town, and they serve different service qualities, too.

As a rule, having your photo printed even at the same photo shops is way cheaper — twice as cheap on average — when you already have a ready photo file.

You can push the cost further down if you already have a good-quality printer.

Here is where Visafoto can help you save money. With $9 US dollars only, you can get your photo converted to US visa photo parameters. You will get an image suitable both for the online application form and for the embassy interview.

For How Long the Paid U.S. Visa Fee is Valid?

The visa application fee receipt is valid for one year from the date of the receipt or based on visa guidance from the embassy.

Is it Possible to Get a Refund for the U.S. Visa Fee?

In general, U.S. visa application fees are non-refundable. This includes the standard nonimmigrant visa fee (such as the $185 charge for B-1/B-2 visas), as well as immigrant visa fees. Once paid, the fee cannot be refunded—even if your visa application is denied or you decide not to attend your interview.

However, starting in 2025, a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee is charged to most nonimmigrant visa applicants upon visa issuance. This particular fee may be refundable only under specific conditions. To qualify for a refund, the applicant must fully comply with the terms of their visa, leave the U.S. no later than five days after the authorized stay expires, or lawfully change or extend their immigration status before the visa expires. The refund is not automatic and must be requested with supporting documentation after departure.

Keep in mind that any optional service fees—such as for visa appointment rescheduling, document delivery, or premium processing, are also non-refundable.

U.S. Visa Photo Online Converter

American visa photos have to follow specific requirements to be accepted. To avoid wasting time and resources, we recommend you trust the editing of your photo to a professional tool that guarantees that your photo will fully satisfy the parameters up to the subtlest details and be accepted by the embassy or consulate.

Visafoto has been processing US visa pictures since 2013, and it’s so easy to use! Just upload a portrait (or even a selfie) of you taken in decent lighting, and properly posed: look straight to the camera and keep a neutral expression. Visafoto will take care of the rest.

Take an image with a smartphone or camera against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport, or ID.

Take an image with a smartphone against any background, upload it here and instantly get a professional photo for your visa, passport or ID. No registration required. You will see results in seconds.