US visa costs are no longer a single number you can quote from memory. In May 2026 the State Department raised nonimmigrant visa fees for the first time in over a decade, and several petition-based categories now carry extra charges layered on top of the base application fee. This guide breaks down exactly what you pay, by visa type, so you can budget accurately before you start.
The base fee: MRV application fee
Every nonimmigrant visa applicant pays a non-refundable Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee to the consulate when they schedule an interview — this is paid whether or not the visa is approved, and every applicant pays individually, including children.
Effective May 30, 2026, the State Department raised MRV fees for the first time since 2012:
- B-1/B-2 (visitor, business/tourism): $185 (up from $160)
- F-1/F-2 (student and dependants), M-1 (vocational student): $185
- J-1 (exchange visitor): $185
- H-1B, L-1, O-1 and other petition-based work categories: $205 (up from $190)
These are consular fees only — they don’t include the separate USCIS petition fees employers pay for H-1B, L-1 and similar categories (below), or the SEVIS fee students pay before their interview.
Student visas (F-1/M-1): fee stack
An F-1 applicant pays two separate government fees before the interview, plus the visa fee above:
- I-901 SEVIS fee: $350 — paid to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program before you can be issued a visa, funding the system that tracks your enrolment. Pay this at FMJfee.com using your SEVIS ID from your Form I-20, and keep the receipt — you’ll need it at your interview and, often, at the port of entry.
- DS-160 application: free to file, but you can’t book an interview without it.
- MRV fee: $185, paid when you schedule your interview.
Budget roughly $535 in US government fees alone before tuition or living costs — see our F-1 student visa guide for the full process and proof-of-funds requirements.
Work visas (H-1B, L-1): who actually pays what
Petition-based work visas split the cost between employer and employee, and the employer side has grown substantially in 2026:
- Form I-129 base filing fee: $1,385 for most H-1B and L-1 petitions, paid by the sponsoring employer.
- Fraud Prevention and Detection Fee, ACWIA fee, Asylum Program Fee: additional employer-side charges that vary by petitioner size and category — H-1B alone can add well over $1,500 more depending on company headcount.
- Premium processing (optional): $2,965 as of March 1, 2026, guarantees a 15-business-day USCIS response instead of the standard multi-month wait.
- H-1B registration fee: a small per-registration fee paid during the annual electronic lottery, before a full petition is even filed.
- MRV visa fee: $205, paid by the employee at the consulate once the petition is approved.
See the full mechanics in our H-1B visa guide, including who typically covers which fee.
What “reciprocity fees” add
Beyond the standard MRV fee, some nationalities pay an additional visa issuance (reciprocity) fee set per country, based on what that country charges US citizens for the same visa category. This can range from $0 to several hundred dollars and is charged only if your visa is approved — check the reciprocity table for your nationality before you budget.
Quick reference table
| Visa type | MRV fee | Other government fees | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 visitor | $185 | Reciprocity fee (varies) | Applicant |
| F-1 student | $185 | $350 SEVIS fee | Applicant |
| H-1B work | $205 | $1,385+ I-129 (employer), optional $2,965 premium | Split |
| L-1 work | $205 | $1,385+ I-129 (employer), optional $2,965 premium | Split |
FAQ
Is the MRV fee refunded if I’m refused? No. It’s non-refundable regardless of outcome, including a 214(b) refusal.
Do children pay the full fee? Yes — every applicant, including infants, pays their own MRV fee.
Does premium processing guarantee approval? No — it only guarantees a 15-business-day decision (approval, denial, or a request for more evidence), not a favourable outcome.
Fees change with little notice — always confirm the current amount on the official travel.state.gov fee schedule before you pay. This is preparation guidance, not legal advice. When VisaMet launches, our eligibility check will flag every fee you’re likely to owe — application, SEVIS, reciprocity — before you start your application. Join the waitlist for early access.