A B1/B2 visitor visa costs $185 for the application processing fee, which every applicant pays regardless of age. Depending on your nationality, you may owe an additional reciprocity issuance fee if the visa is approved. On top of those government charges, plan for photos, courier delivery, and travel to the consulate. In some countries, the all-in cost of B1/B2 visa fees runs past $300 to $400 before you buy a plane ticket.
The $185 Application Processing Fee
The core charge is the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee, set at $185 by federal regulation at 22 CFR 22.1.1eCFR. 22 CFR 22.1 – Schedule of Fees It pays for reviewing your application and conducting your consular interview. Everyone pays it, including infants. The State Department labels it non-refundable, so a denial does not get you the money back.2U.S. Department of State. Fees for Visa Services
Once paid, the receipt is generally valid for one year. Schedule your interview within that window or the receipt expires and you pay again. The State Department does not routinely extend receipt validity.
The Reciprocity Issuance Fee
Some applicants owe a second charge based on nationality. If your country charges Americans a fee for a comparable visa, the U.S. charges you a matching amount. The amount varies widely, and many nationalities owe nothing.
The reciprocity fee is only collected after a consular officer approves your visa.3U.S. Department of State. Fees and Reciprocity Tables If you’re refused, you won’t owe it. Look up your country in the State Department’s reciprocity tables before you apply so you’re not surprised at the consulate window.4U.S. Department of State. Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country Some countries carry issuance fees of several hundred dollars.
How to Pay
Payment goes through an online portal, not the embassy itself. Most countries route applicants through the U.S. Department of State Visa Appointment Service or a designated contractor such as CGI Federal. You create an account, enter your DS-160 confirmation barcode and passport details, and choose a payment method.
Common options include credit card, debit card, and local bank transfer. In many countries the system generates a deposit slip you print and take to a designated bank to pay in cash. Credit card payments usually clear within minutes; bank deposits can take one to two business days to register.
After the payment processes you receive a unique receipt number. That number unlocks the appointment calendar. Without entering it into the scheduling portal you cannot book an interview slot. Keep it safe. Recovering a lost receipt number is slow, and the number you enter has to match exactly, including any leading zeros.
Who Is Exempt From the Fee
Most applicants pay the full $185. A narrow group does not. Applicants for official visa classifications, including A (diplomatic), G (international organization), C-3 (transit for foreign officials), and NATO visas, do not pay application fees.5U.S. Department of State. Visas for Employees of International Organizations and NATO Holders of diplomatic passports may qualify for a fee waiver regardless of the visa class, but a diplomatic passport is not automatic grounds for exemption; the consular officer makes the call.
These exemptions don’t reach typical tourist or business travelers. If you’re applying for a standard B1/B2 visitor visa, plan on paying the full amount.
Cheaper Options Worth Checking First
ESTA for Visa Waiver Countries
If you hold a passport from one of the roughly 40 countries in the Visa Waiver Program, you likely don’t need a B1/B2 visa at all. An Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) costs $21 total and allows stays of up to 90 days for business or tourism.6USAGov. Visa Waiver Program and ESTA Application That breaks into a $4 processing fee charged to everyone and a $17 authorization fee charged only if approved.
An ESTA is valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple trips. The trade-off is a firm 90-day limit per visit with no extensions, while a B1/B2 visa can allow stays of up to six months and may run for multiple years depending on your nationality.7U.S. Department of State. Visa Waiver Program
Border Crossing Card for Mexican Citizens
Mexican citizens who cross the U.S.-Mexico border often can apply for a Border Crossing Card (BCC), which combines a B1/B2 visa with a border crossing document. Fees are set in the same regulation as the MRV fee:1eCFR. 22 CFR 22.1 – Schedule of Fees
- Applicants 15 and over pay $185, and the card is valid for ten years.
- Children under 15 pay $15 when a parent or guardian holds or is applying for a BCC, valid for ten years or until the child turns 15, whichever comes first.
The reduced children’s fee makes this a much cheaper family option, though the card restricts travel to a limited zone near the border unless the traveler also has a valid passport and I-94.8U.S. Department of State. Border Crossing Card
Extending Your Stay Costs Extra
If you’re already in the U.S. on a B1/B2 visa and need more time, you file Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) with USCIS. That fee is separate from your original visa application and changes periodically, so check the current amount on the USCIS fee schedule before filing.9U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status USCIS eliminated the separate $85 biometrics fee for I-539 applications in late 2023. Premium processing is not available for B1/B2 extensions, so budget time as well as money.
Other Costs to Budget For
Government fees are only part of the total. Incidental costs add up:
- Passport photos in the required format run roughly $10 to $25 at drugstores, photo studios, or some post offices.
- Courier and delivery charges to return your passport after approval may be bundled into the appointment service fee or billed separately.
- Travel to the consulate matters if you don’t live near one. In large countries with only a few consular posts, transport and lodging can rival the visa fee itself.
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. If it’s close to expiring, you’ll need to renew first, which adds cost and lead time.10U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Six-Month Validity Update
None of these are refundable if the visa is denied. Once you start the process, treat the total outlay as a sunk cost.