The MRV fee receipt is your proof of payment for the Machine Readable Visa application fee, and you need it to schedule a U.S. non-immigrant visa interview. You get one by completing the DS-160, registering on the visa services portal for the country where you’ll interview, and paying the fee either by card through the portal or in cash at a designated bank. The receipt is non-refundable, tied to you personally, and valid for 365 days from the payment date.1U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. How Long Do I Have to Schedule an Interview After I Pay My Visa Application Fee?
What the Receipt Shows
Every receipt carries a unique reference number, sometimes called a CGI reference or transaction number. That number is the key you’ll enter into the scheduling portal to book your interview, and it’s tied directly to your applicant profile. The receipt also lists your name, the amount paid, the payment date, and the visa category you selected.
Check each field against your passport before moving on. If your name or visa category is wrong, the system may fail to match your payment to your application, and the payment date starts the clock on your 365-day validity window.
How Much You’ll Pay
Non-immigrant visa fees are set by federal regulation and apply worldwide.2eCFR. 22 CFR 22.1 – Schedule of Fees The tier depends on your visa type:
- $185 for non-petition-based visas including B (business/tourism), F (student), J (exchange visitor), C-1 (transit), I (media), M (vocational student), and TN/TD. T, U, and S visas also fall in this tier despite being petition-based.
- $205 for petition-based work visas: H, L, O, P, Q, and R.
- $265 for K fiancé(e) or spouse of U.S. citizen visas.
- $315 for E treaty trader, treaty investor, and Australian professional specialty visas.3U.S. Department of State. Fees for Visa Services
This is the application processing fee only. If your visa is approved, some nationalities owe a separate reciprocity fee at issuance, covered further down.
How To Get the Receipt
Start with the DS-160 online application and keep your confirmation barcode number.4U.S. Department of State. DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Then register a profile on the visa services portal for the country where you’ll interview. Enter your biographical information exactly as it appears on your passport; small mismatches cause delays.
Once you select your visa category, the portal generates a payment slip with your name, a tracking barcode, and the amount due. Payment methods vary by country but generally include a card payment through the portal or a cash deposit at a designated bank branch.
Paying by Card
Card payment through the portal is the fastest route. Enter your billing details on the secure payment page, and a successful transaction typically updates your dashboard in real time. Your receipt number appears on screen once the charge processes.
Paying Cash at a Bank
For a cash payment, print the pay-in slip from the portal and take it to an approved bank branch. The teller processes the deposit and stamps the slip as proof. Bank payments need time to filter back to the portal. Some embassies cite roughly one business day as the typical wait.5U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria. Important Visa Information Wait until your dashboard shows the payment as confirmed before you try to schedule.
Validity, Refunds, and Transfers
The receipt is valid for 365 days from the date of payment. You need to schedule your interview within that window. If the year runs out, the receipt expires and you’ll pay the full fee again and submit a new application package.6U.S. Department of State. Expiration of Covid-Era Visa Application Fee Receipts
The fee is non-refundable. You won’t get the money back if your visa is denied, if you skip your interview, or if your plans change.3U.S. Department of State. Fees for Visa Services The receipt is also locked to you personally and to the country where you paid. You cannot sell it, give it to another applicant, or use it at a consulate in a different country. Each receipt covers one application.
Using the Receipt To Book Your Interview
Once the portal recognizes your payment, the receipt number unlocks the interview calendar. Enter the number in the scheduling section and the system will display available dates at your chosen consulate or embassy. The software checks that the receipt is valid and hasn’t already been used before it lets you pick a slot.
After you select a date, the portal generates a confirmation page with the location, time, and a barcode for consular officers. Print it and keep it with your documents. You can reschedule within the validity period, but slots fill quickly at busy posts.
On interview day, bring the original visa fee payment receipt along with your appointment confirmation letter, DS-160 confirmation page, a recent passport-style photo, your current passport, and any previous passports.7Study in the States. Students: Prepare for Your Visa Interview Some consulates will refuse applications missing any of these items. Check the website of the specific post where you’ll interview for any additional local requirements.
The Reciprocity Fee Is Separate
The MRV application fee is not always the only cost. Citizens of certain countries also owe a visa issuance fee, often called a reciprocity fee, based on what their home country charges U.S. citizens for a similar visa.8U.S. Department of State. Fees and Reciprocity Tables Unlike the MRV fee, the reciprocity fee is charged only after your visa is approved, and the amount depends on your nationality and visa category. Look up your country’s figure on the State Department’s reciprocity tables before you apply so you know the full cost in advance.