Visa Fees
(CT:VISA-1911; 02-14-2024)
(Office of Origin: CA/VO)
9 FAM 601.5-1 Related statutory and regulatory Authorities
9 FAM 601.5-1(A) Immigration and Nationality Act
(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)
INA 221(c) (8 U.S.C. 1201(c)); INA 281 (8 U.S.C. 1351).
9 FAM 601.5-1(B) Code of Federal Regulations
(CT:VISA-232; 10-25-2016)
22 CFR 22.1; 22 CFR 41.107; 22 CFR 42.71(b).
9 FAM 601.5-1(C) Public Law
(CT:VISA-1; 11-18-2015)
Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995 (Public Law 103-236, Title I, Section 140).
9 FAM 601.5-2 visa fees – overview
(CT:VISA-1911; 02-14-2024)
a. The revenue generated by consular fees, including visa fees, is a vital source of funding for our consular operations and other activities that support the Department’s border security mission. Consular managers play a critical role in ensuring that the appropriate fees are properly collected and accounted for. Most fees for consular services are application fees and are charged to cover the cost of processing an application and/or providing a specific service.
b. For information on the non-transferability of visa fee see 7 FAH-1 H-721(c).
9 FAM 601.5-3 types of visa fees
9 FAM 601.5-3(A) Nonimmigrant Visa Fees
(CT:VISA-671; 09-05-2018)
a. Types of Fees: There are two types of nonimmigrant visa fees:
(1) Application processing fee (also known as the “MRV application fee” or “MRV fee”); and
(2) Issuance fee (also known as the “reciprocity fee” or “issuance fee”).
b. MRV Fee:
(1) Section 140 of Public Law 103-236 authorizes the Secretary of State to collect a surcharge for processing applications for machine-readable nonimmigrant visas and machine-readable combined border-crossing cards (BCCs). The fee is set forth by regulation at 22 CFR 22.1. The fee varies depending on the type of nonimmigrant visa. The fee must be paid regardless of whether the visa is issued or refused. For further information, see Fees for Visa Services on the travel.state.gov website.
(2) The application processing fee is not reciprocal, and all applicants must pay regardless of the type of passport held, except as noted in 9 FAM 403.4-3(A).
(3) You may not charge an additional MRV fee to applicants refused under INA 221(g) who overcome the refusal within one year of that refusal, or to applicants who receive a replacement MRV because of a defective foil.
(4) See 9 FAM 403.4-2(A) for additional information on MRV application processing fees and 9 FAM 403.4-3(A) regarding exemptions to these MRV processing fees.
c. Issuance Fee:
(1) The reciprocity fee to be collected for the issuance of a nonimmigrant visa is prescribed in the appropriate country-specific reciprocity schedule. These schedules, required by INA 221(c) and INA 281, are based upon the treatment accorded U.S. citizens by the governments of the countries concerned and apply to nationals, permanent residents, refugees, and stateless residents of those countries. These fees vary depending on the type of visa. The schedule of fees for each country is given in the Reciprocity Schedule.
(2) See 9 FAM 403.4-2(B) for more information on NIV issuance fees, and 9 FAM 403.4-3(B) regarding exemptions to these fees.
9 FAM 601.5-3(B) Immigrant Visa Fees
(CT:VISA-1911; 02-14-2024)
a. Schedule of Fees: The Secretary of State has prescribed a single fee combining the costs of processing and issuance of the immigrant visa. An additional application fee is charged for persons selected for the Diversity Visa Program. The fees are specified in 22 CFR 22.1. This fee is charged regardless of whether the immigrant visa is issued.
b. Collection of Fees:
(1) A single fee is charged combining the costs of processing and issuance of the immigrant visa. An individual registered for immigrant visa processing at a post designated for this purpose by the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services must pay the processing fee. The fee must be paid when the individual is notified that a visa is expected to become available soon and that he or she must obtain the supporting documentation needed to submit the visa application.
(2) For cases processed through the National Visa Center (NVC), this fee will be collected during initial processing by NVC. Posts will collect the visa processing fee only for those cases in which the petition is filed at post or in which the visa file otherwise indicates that the fee has not yet been collected.
c. See 9 FAM 504.6 for additional information on immigrant visa fees.
9 FAM 601.5-4 accountability and visa fees
(CT:VISA-1310; 06-28-2021)
a. Accountability in General: See 7 FAH-1 H-646.1.
b. Ensuring Integrity and Accountability: See 7 FAH-1 H-645 and 7 FAH-1 H-646.1.
c. Staff Handling Cash Advances and Collections: See 7 FAH-1 H-733.4 and 4 FAM 393.4.
d. Roles and Responsibilities: 7 FAH-1 H-730 provides information on the various roles and responsibilities in collecting and accounting for consular fees.
e. Collection of Fees by Credit Card: See 7 FAH-1 H-722.2.
f. Automated Cash Register System (ACRS): See 7 FAH-1 H-726.1.
g. More information: See 7 FAH-1 H-720 for information on consular fees.