“US Visa Application Fee Explained How Much & How to Pay (2025 Guide)”

Transcript

00:00Think the U.S. visa fee is just $160? Not so fast? Here's what you need to know before you pay.

00:07When you're planning to visit the United States, one of the first steps is paying that all-important

00:12visa application fee, commonly known as the MRV fee, or machine-readable visa fee.

00:19While many people think the cost is the same everywhere, the real answer is a bit more

00:24complicated. Let's break it down so you don't run into any surprises during your application

00:29process. For the majority of tourist and business travelers, those applying for the popular B1-B2

00:35visas, the standard MRV fee in 2025 is $185 U.S. dollars. This fee is mandatory, non-refundable,

00:45and must be paid before you're allowed to book your consular interview. Even if your visa application

00:51is denied, you won't get your money back, so it pays to double-check all your application details

00:56before hitting that payment button. But here's where things get interesting. While the fee is set

01:02in U.S. dollars, you must pay it in your local currency. The exact amount you'll be asked for

01:08depends on the exchange rate at the time you pay. And different countries may use slightly different

01:14rates or charge additional service fees. For example, payers in Europe will see the MRV fee

01:20converted to euros, while those in India will pay in rupees, and applicants in Mexico will see the

01:27amount show up in pesos. It's important to check the most current and official conversion rate

01:33on your country's U.S. Travel Docs website. As these rates can change weekly or even daily,

01:39now let's talk about how to actually pay the MRV fee. Payment options can vary by country,

01:45but most applicants are offered a choice. You can pay online using a credit or debit card for

01:51convenience or visit a partnering bank and deposit your payment directly using a specially generated

01:57payment slip. In several countries, mobile payments or NEFT bank transfers are also available,

02:04especially in places like India and the Philippines. When setting up your visa application profile on U.S.

02:11travel docs, you'll see all the available methods listed for your country. Choose the one that works

02:17best for you and follow the instructions carefully, using the correct name and passport number throughout.

02:23After you've made the payment, it's time to watch for your payment confirmation. In some cases,

02:28it appears almost instantly. In others, you might need to wait one to two business days.

02:35Whatever you do, don't misplace your payment receipt. You'll need it as proof when scheduling your visa

02:41interview, and you might be asked to present it again at the embassy or consulate. Without this

02:46vital document, your application process will be delayed or possibly derailed. Here are a few bonus

02:52tips to make sure your payment experience is smooth and stress-free. First, always use your own details,

03:00full name and passport number, exactly as they appear on your application and passport. Second,

03:05never refresh the payment page part way through. Doing so might trigger double charges or incomplete

03:11transactions. Third, for extra peace of mind, take a screenshot of every key step, payment receipt,

03:19confirmation page, and any tracking numbers. This way, if there's ever an issue, you'll have clear

03:25documentation to present. Now you're equipped with everything you need to know about the U.S.

03:30visa application fee and payment process for $25. Got questions or stories about your own visa journey?

03:38Share your country below in the comments. And if you found this breakdown helpful,

03:42be sure to hit subscribe. There are more straightforward travel and visa tips coming your way every week.

03:49Safe travels and happy planning.