Section A. How Much Does a US Visa Cost?

The cost of applying for a US visa depends on the visa classification, whether an employer must file a petition with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the applicant’s nationality and any additional services required. A consular visa application fee is not the same as a USCIS petition fee. Many employment-based applications involve both, while other applicants pay only a consular fee.

Several fee changes are now in effect, including adjustments introduced on October 16, 2026. Applicants and employers should calculate the full cost of the proposed route rather than relying on the headline visa application fee. The figures below are in US dollars and reflect the published government fee schedules effective October 16, 2026.

Section B. US Visa Fee Changes From October 16, 2026

From October 16, 2026, inflation adjustments apply to selected immigration-related charges introduced under Public Law 119-21, also known as H.R. 1. They do not represent an across-the-board increase in USCIS petition fees or State Department Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fees. Standard H-1B, L-1 and O-1 petition charges are not increased by the October 16 notice.

The changes affect certain humanitarian applications and travel-related charges. The following amounts apply from October 16, 2026:

The initial asylum application fee remains $100. Several other statutory charges, including certain employment authorization renewal fees, do not increase under the October 16 adjustment. The relevant H.R. 1 charges can apply in addition to ordinary USCIS filing fees. Applicants should therefore not assume that the $570 employment authorization charge represents the total amount payable for every Form I-765 application.

USCIS requires the adjusted filing fees for applicable applications postmarked on or after October 16, 2026 and can reject submissions with incorrect payment. The $1,050 immigration parole fee is different: it generally relates to the actual grant of parole on or after October 16, even where the underlying request was filed earlier, unless a statutory exception applies. CBP’s Form I-94 application fee at land borders remains $30, including the $24 H.R. 1 charge and the separate $6 land-border charge.

ESTA is an authorization to travel under the Visa Waiver Program, not a visa. The $40.62 figure applies where authorization is granted; a denied ESTA application carries a $10.62 processing charge. EVUS applies to designated holders of qualifying Chinese passports and US visitor visas, rather than all visa applicants.

Section C. Temporary US Visa Costs

Temporary US visas, also known as nonimmigrant visas, authorize travel to the US for a permitted purpose, subject to admission at the border. Examples include tourism under a B-2 visa, investment under an E-2 visa and intracompany transfers under an L-1 visa.

Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fees (MRV)

Applicants seeking a visa at a US embassy or consulate generally pay a nonrefundable MRV application processing fee. The amount depends on the visa classification. These State Department fees are separate from any petition filed with USCIS.

Not every person in a listed classification must pay the MRV fee. Exemptions apply in specified circumstances, including certain government-sponsored J exchange programs and diplomatic applications. Canadian citizens also generally do not require a TN visa stamp, although separate admission and border fees may apply.

Payment instructions, accepted methods, exchange rates and appointment booking arrangements vary by consular location. Applicants should follow the instructions for the US embassy or consulate handling their case. MRV payments are generally nonrefundable, including following a visa refusal. Applicants should not assume that an unused payment can be transferred to someone else or refunded after an appointment is canceled.

Section D. Temporary Work Visa Petition Fees

For many work visa categories, the US employer must first obtain USCIS approval of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker. That petition fee is separate from the employee’s consular MRV fee, where a visa application abroad is required. Different fee bands apply to small employers and qualifying nonprofit organizations.

The principal Form I-129 fees are:

For USCIS fee purposes, a small employer generally has 25 or fewer full-time equivalent employees in the US. Reduced fees for nonprofit organizations depend on the organization’s qualifying status and the USCIS rules. Different charges and exemptions can apply to other Form I-129 classifications, including R petitions and CNMI-only transitional worker petitions.

An E-1 or E-2 visa applicant applying directly at a consulate does not automatically need a Form I-129 petition. USCIS petition fees become relevant where an eligible person requests a change to or extension of E status from within the US. Employers should distinguish that procedure from a consular E visa application before estimating costs.

Additional Employer Fees for H-1B and L-1 Applications

Employment petitions can attract several charges beyond the basic Form I-129 fee. Whether a payment is required depends on the petition type, employer, workforce profile and the worker’s circumstances.

The Asylum Program Fee is generally $600 per Form I-129 or employer-filed Form I-140 petition, reduced to $300 for qualifying small employers. Qualifying nonprofits are exempt. The fee is separate from any H.R. 1 humanitarian fees referred to earlier in this guide.

Cap-subject H-1B employers must also account for the $215 electronic registration fee for each submitted registration, where registration is required. The American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) fee is generally $1,500 or $750, depending on employer size, unless an exemption applies. Certain new H-1B and L-1 petitions require a $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection fee.

A further 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee of $4,000 for H-1B petitions or $4,500 for L-1 petitions applies to covered petitioners with at least 50 US employees where more than 50% of the workforce is in H-1B or L-1 status. Rules effective September 9, 2026 also apply that fee to qualifying extensions of status, even where a separate fraud prevention fee is not payable. Employers should assess the statutory workforce test and applicable exceptions for each filing.

Separately, the September 2026 presidential proclamation extended restrictions affecting the entry of certain H-1B workers from outside the US until September 21, 2027. In cases within its scope, a $100,000 payment is required unless an exception is granted. The payment is not a universal surcharge on all H-1B petitions or extensions. Employers considering overseas recruitment should establish whether the proclamation applies before committing to sponsorship costs or a start date. Further detail on the standard H-1B charges is available in our H-1B visa costs guide.

Premium Processing Fees

For eligible petitions, employers may request premium processing using Form I-907. Following increases effective March 1, 2026, the premium processing charge for many Form I-129 classifications, including H-1B, L-1 and O-1, is $2,965. The same amount applies to qualifying Form I-140 immigrant worker petitions. Other premium processing classifications have different fees, including $1,780 for H-2B and R-1 petitions. The fee is paid in addition to the underlying application and other mandatory charges.

Premium processing offers a defined USCIS action period, not guaranteed approval or a guaranteed visa appointment. Requests for evidence and other USCIS actions can affect the practical timetable. Employers should also allow for consular processing and any administrative processing after the petition decision.

Section E. Other Nonimmigrant Visa Costs

Visa Issuance and Reciprocity Fees

Some applicants must pay a visa issuance fee, also called a reciprocity fee, after visa approval. The amount depends on nationality and visa classification. It is separate from the MRV fee and is not charged in every case.

The State Department’s visa reciprocity schedules should be checked for the applicant’s passport nationality and intended visa category. For example, the published United Kingdom schedule lists a $90 fee for an L-2 visa, while the E-2 entry has no reciprocity fee. The earlier assumption that E-2 visas generally attract a UK reciprocity charge is therefore incorrect.

Blanket L Visa Fees

Where an employee applies for an L-1 visa using an approved blanket L petition, the principal applicant will normally pay the $500 Fraud Prevention and Detection fee at the consular stage. The $4,500 9-11 fee may also apply to covered employers satisfying the statutory workforce thresholds. The employer should confirm which charges have already been paid and which remain due at the interview.

SEVIS Fees for Students and Exchange Visitors

Many F-1, M-1 and J-1 applicants must pay the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee in addition to the MRV fee. The school or program sponsor must provide the relevant Form I-20 or DS-2019 information.

Dependent F-2, M-2 and J-2 applicants generally do not pay a separate I-901 fee. Applicants should verify whether a previous payment remains usable for their current SEVIS record, rather than automatically paying again when seeking a new visa.

Visa Integrity Fee

Federal legislation enacted in 2025 established a separate Visa Integrity Fee for nonimmigrant visas, with an initial statutory amount of at least $250 and provision for annual adjustment. However, the State Department’s published visa application fee schedule checked for this October 2026 update does not list an operational collection amount or payment process for the fee. It should not be presented as an automatically payable charge in the fee tables above without official implementation instructions. Applicants should check for any subsequent collection guidance before paying their visa charges.

Additional Travel and Application Expenses

Applicants may also incur costs for travel to an embassy or consulate, translation, document certification, courier delivery or an expedited appointment service where offered. Individuals applying under the Visa Waiver Program use ESTA rather than paying an MRV fee. Those seeking a visa despite being eligible for ESTA must instead budget for the applicable visa application.

Section F. Exemptions From US Visa Application Fees

State Department MRV fee exemptions apply to specified applications, including A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO and diplomatic classifications, eligible government-sponsored J exchange participants and certain applicants traveling on qualifying official or charitable business. A replacement visa may also be issued without a new fee where the original was incorrectly affixed or requires reissuance through no fault of the applicant.

Other limited exemptions cover particular US government employees on official travel, defined family travel following a government employee’s death or serious injury in the line of duty and applicants covered by certain international agreements. Whether an exemption applies depends on the precise circumstances and the rules governing that fee.

USCIS fee waivers are a separate matter. Not every USCIS form or filing category allows a waiver, and statutory fees introduced under H.R. 1 may remain payable even where a separate USCIS filing fee is waived. Applicants should not assume that an exemption from the MRV fee also exempts them from SEVIS charges, USCIS petition fees or other assessments.

Section G. Immigrant Visa Costs

Immigrant visas allow qualifying foreign nationals to travel to the US to seek admission as lawful permanent residents. Common routes include marriage and family sponsorship and employment-based permanent residence. Their costs may include a USCIS petition fee, National Visa Center or consular processing charges, medical examinations and the separate USCIS immigrant fee.

State Department Immigrant Visa Processing Fees

These charges are distinct from filing an underlying immigration petition with USCIS. The $120 Affidavit of Support charge is a review fee, commonly paid through the National Visa Center where required. It is not a universal fee to sign Form I-864 and does not reflect the sponsor’s financial obligations.

USCIS Immigration Petition and Green Card Fees

Applicants using adjustment of status within the US generally file Form I-485 rather than applying for an immigrant visa at a consulate. The relevant process determines which fees are due. Some Form I-360 and other special immigrant filings have different fees or exemptions, so no single general fee should be applied to every case.

Applicants issued immigrant visas abroad are generally required to pay the $235 USCIS immigrant fee before their physical Green Card can be produced, unless an exemption applies. USCIS recommends paying after receiving the immigrant visa and before travel. That amount is separate from the consular immigrant visa processing fee.

Medical Examinations and Supporting Evidence

Most immigrant visa applicants must undergo a medical examination with an approved panel physician. Applicants adjusting status in the US may instead need a medical examination by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. Prices vary by provider and location. Vaccinations, laboratory work and further testing may be charged separately. A single indicative price should not be treated as a reliable estimate for every country or application.

DNA testing may be requested or used in appropriate family-based cases to help establish a claimed biological relationship. The applicant normally bears the cost, which depends on the approved testing arrangements. Translation, civil document and police certificate expenses can also be relevant.

Section H. Professional Advice and Budgeting for a US Visa

Legal fees vary with the immigration route, petitioning structure, number of applicants and the issues requiring advice. For an E-2 application, investors may also require a detailed business plan and supporting financial evidence. Where a prior conviction, immigration violation or other inadmissibility issue arises, separate waiver applications and professional work can increase the overall cost.

Employers should produce a fee schedule for each worker identifying charges payable at registration, petition filing, USCIS processing, visa interview and admission. The schedule should distinguish mandatory employer-paid costs from charges that can lawfully be met by the employee, taking account of applicable H-1B and H-2 worker protections. The employer should also budget for accompanying family members, renewals and any additional consular appointments.

For H-1B recruitment in particular, a basic USCIS filing fee is a poor proxy for the full sponsorship cost. Asylum Program Fees, statutory employer surcharges, premium processing and the separate $100,000 payment in cases falling within the current entry restrictions can alter the economics of a proposed hire substantially. The payment trigger and eligibility for exemptions should be established before filing.

Finally, verify the government charge immediately before submission. USCIS maintains Form G-1055, Fee Schedule and a fee calculator. The State Department publishes its visa services fee schedule and reciprocity tables. Submitting an incorrect USCIS fee may result in rejection rather than a request to make up the shortfall.

Need Assistance?

NNU Immigration advises US employers, entrepreneurs, investors and applicants on visa eligibility, petition requirements, associated government charges and application strategy. We can help identify the fees relevant to the proposed route, including employer surcharges and costs arising from more demanding case circumstances. To discuss a specific application, contact NNU Immigration.

Fee information reflects official schedules and published measures effective October 16, 2026. Fees, exemptions and implementation arrangements may change. The article provides general information, not advice on an individual application.

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