You need to apply for a visa to the US for travel, higher education, business, or any other purposes. The US visa application fee differs based on the purpose and duration of the visit to the country. Understanding how much to pay and the minimum bank balance requirements for a US visa can help you manage finances.
The blog aims to mention how much fee you need to pay based on the purpose of travel. Continue reading to learn more about the US visa application fee and related information.
Table of contents
How Much is the US Visa Application Fee?
The visa application fees for the US visa services vary based on the country you are from and the type of visa you want to get. The non-immigrant US visa application fee ranges from ranges from USD 185 to 315. The immigrant US visa application fee ranges from USD 205 to 325. But what exactly are the immigrant and non-immigrant US visas? Well, these are the different visa categories.
If you intend to live permanently in the US, you should apply for an immigrant visa. However, you should apply for a non-immigrant visa if you wish to enter the US for temporary purposes like- tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons.
The table below lists the US visa application fee for the most common types of US visas-
| Visa Type | US Visa Application Fee |
| Tourist Visa | USD 185 |
| Student Visa | USD 185 |
| Work/ Business Visa | USD 185 |
| Immigration Visa | USD 325 |
Please Note: Visa regulations and fees are subject to change. It’s crucial to consult the official US Department of State website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Also Read: Taking a loan for higher studies in the US? Check out all the important details of collateral-free education loans for the US and how to get it.
US Visa Application Fee: Non-Immigration
There are many types of Non-Immigration US visas and this means that the US visa application fee will be different for all. The different visa types under the non-immigrant US visa are petition-based, non-petition-based, K-visas, and E-visas. They all state the purpose of travel to the US.
- The US visa application fee is USD 185 for travel, studies, NAFTA professionals, crew members of airlines, etc. International students planning to study in the US can take Bajaj Allianz travel insurance for the USA to overcome unforeseen travel situations.
- The US visa application fee is USD 205 for temporary work, intracompany transfers, athletes, etc.
- The US visa application fee is USD 315 for trade, investment, or specialized professional services.
Non-petition Based
Non-petition based non-immigrant US visa application fee is USD 185. The visa fees for application processing are non-refundable. This includes travel for various purposes-
The US Visa Application Fee is USD 185 for travel, studies, and others as stated in the table. | Visa Type | Purpose |
| 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 |
Petition Based
To obtain a petition-based visa, your employer must file a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on your behalf. The US visa application for petition-based categories is USD 205.
The US Visa Application Fee is USD 205 for temporary work, intracompany transfers, athletes, etc. | Visa Type | Purpose |
| 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 |
E-Visa
E-visas are for individuals who are engaged in substantial trade, investment, or specialized professional services between the US and a country with which the US has a treaty. The US visa application fee for E-visas is USD 315.
K-Visa
K-visas are for foreign fiancés of US citizens who intend to marry within 90 days of entering the US. The US visa application fee for K-visas is USD 265.
Also Read: Learn about managing finances and embark on a hassle-free journey by opening an international student account best banks in the US for international students.
US Visa Application Fee: Immigration
You apply for an immigrant visa if you permanently plan to live and work in the US. The most common types of immigrant visas include family-based visas for spouses, children, and parents of US citizens or permanent residents. Another type of immigrant visa is the employment-based visa for individuals with job offers in the US.
The category also includes diversity visas which are offered through a lottery system for applicants from countries with low immigration rates to the US and visas for other categories like investor visas, refugee and asylum visas, etc.
The immigrant US visa fee is to be paid for both the petition filing and application processing.
| US Visa Fee for Immigrant Petition Filing | |
| Immigrant petition for relative (I-130) | USD 675 |
| Orphan (intercountry adoption) immediate relative petition (I-600, I-800) | USD 775 |
| US Visa Fee for Application Processing | |
| Immediate Relative or Family Preference Immigration (processed based on an approved I-130, I-600 or I-800 petition) | USD 325 |
| Employment-based applications (processed based on an approved I-140 or I-526 petition) | USD 345 |
| Other immigrant visa applications (including approved I-360 self-petitioners, special immigrant visa applicants, returning resident (SB-1) applicants, and all others, except DV program selectees) | USD 205 |
| Afghan or Iraqi special immigrant applications | No Fee |
How Do I Pay the US Visa Application Fee?
There are two main ways to pay your US immigrant visa application fees at the US Embassy or Consulate in India. You can pay in either US dollars (USD) or Indian Rupees (INR). The second option is by a rupee bank draft. You can submit a bank draft denominated in Indian rupees (INR) drawn on a nationalized or foreign bank.
Here are the ways to pay your US visa application fee-
- Cash (USD or INR): This is the simplest option, but ensure you have the exact amount in advance. Exchange rates can fluctuate, so check the current rate before going to the embassy/consulate. Make sure to know about the currency exchange fluctuations when paying the visa fees by checking the currency exchange rates in the USA.
- Rupee Bank Draft (INR): This involves getting a bank draft specifically drawn on a nationalized or foreign bank in Indian rupees. This option might require additional processing time at the bank.
This was all about the US visa application fee. Always check the official website of the US Embassy or Consulate in India for the most up-to-date information on accepted payment methods and any additional fees that may apply. They might have specific instructions for the bank draft, such as the payee’s name or how to ensure it’s valid.
To know more about education loans, the best bank accounts for students, forex and banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience.
FAQs
The non-immigrant US visa application fee ranges from ranges from USD 185 to 315 (INR 15,455 to 26,315). The immigrant US visa application fee ranges from USD 205 to 325 (INR 17,125 to 27,150).
You can pay the US visa application fee in cash (USD or INR) at the embassy. rupee bank draft. Check the embassy website for details.
The minimum bank balance required to secure a US visa is USD 6,000 to 10,000 per year. Students on an F1 visa should show at least USD 30,000 to 65,000, depending on your university and program.
The immigrant US visa fee is to be paid for both the petition filing and application processing. It ranges from USD 205 to 325 (INR 17,125 to 27,150) for processing and USD 675 to 775 for petition filing (INR 56,410 to 64,767).
The US visa application fee on a student visa is USD 185. It is the same for other purposes including travel for temporary purposes like a visitor visa and business/ work visa.
Follow Us on Social Media
