If you want to come to the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, you will have to apply for a U.S. visa at a Consulate abroad (unless you are visa exempt – for example Canadian are exempt for certain visa categories).
What is the visa fee for the particular non-immigrant visa?
You can check what is the visa fee for the particular visa you are applying for on this website. The fees sometimes change so you should always double check the fee before you apply for the visa.
The visa fee for B , C-1, D, F , I, J, M, TN/TD, S, T, or U visa is currently $160.
The visa fee for petition-based visas (meaning that before you get the visa, you/the U.S. sponsor have to file a petition with USCIS) is currently $190. This includes H , L , O , P, Q, and R visa.
The visa fee for E-1 and E-2 visa is $205.
Please note that the visa fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. If you later decide that you do not need a visa, your fee will not be refunded.
How and when should I pay the visa fee?
You should always check the website of the Consulate where you will be applying for the visa. You will have to pay the visa fee before you schedule an interview appointment and most Consulate allow you to pay the visa fee with credit/debit card but some Consulates have specific instructions, such as that you have to pay the visa fee in a specific bank with cash.
What is a reciprocity fee? When will I have to pay a reciprocity fee?
Nationals of certain countries will be required to pay an additional reciprocity fee. The reciprocity fee is a different fee than the visa fee – the reciprocity fee is based on reciprocity (if foreign government imposes a visa fee for certain visa for U.S. citizen, the U.S. will also impose a visa fee on the foreign nationals). That’s why some countries don’t have any reciprocity fees and some countries have reciprocity fees for only certain visa categories.
You can check whether you will have to pay a reciprocity fee on this website. The reciprocity fees sometimes change so you should always check before you go to the interview whether you will be required to pay the reciprocity fee. For example, the nationals of Netherlands did not have to pay any reciprocity fee for an E-1/E-2 visa in the past but as of January 2020 they have to pay $2,228 due to a change in the reciprocity schedule.
You will have to pay the reciprocity fee only after your visa application is approved at the Consulate. You should check the website of the specific Consulate where you will be applying for the visa whether you will be able to pay the fee with a credit card or whether you have to bring cash.
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