B-1/B-2 Visa Fees in 2026: What You'll Pay
Understand B-1/B-2 visa fees before you apply: what you pay upfront, what you pay at issuance, and what changes by nationality
B-1/B-2 visa fees break into two separate stages for most applicants: a non-refundable application fee you pay upfront, and a visa integrity fee the consulate collects only if it approves your visa. Your total depends on nationality, whether you need an extension, and family size.
Several of these figures are indexed to inflation and will change over time, so confirm current rates at the primary source before you apply.
Key takeaways
- Most B-1/B-2 applicants pay two separate fees: a non-refundable application fee and a visa integrity fee that the consulate collects only when it approves the visa.
- The visa integrity fee is paid at issuance, not at application, so a denied applicant doesn't owe it.
- Applicants from designated countries may face a refundable visa bond on top of standard fees.
- Extending a B-1/B-2 stay requires a separate filing with USCIS before the authorized stay expires.
- Employer-sponsored work visas shift most filing costs from the applicant to the employer, fundamentally changing the cost equation compared to a visitor visa.
B-1/B-2 visa application fee
MRV fee breakdown
The MRV (Machine Readable Visa) application fee for a B-1/B-2 visa is $185, non-refundable regardless of outcome. Current rates are on the State Department fee schedule. It applies identically to B-1 business visitors and B-2 tourist visitors.
The MRV fee receipt stays valid for 365 days from payment, so if the consulate denies your application, you can reapply within that window without paying again.
DS-160 and payment timing
The $185 fee is tied to the DS-160 application form. Submit the DS-160 first, then pay before scheduling your interview appointment. Payment methods vary by embassy and may include bank transfer, cash, card, or an online portal.
| Fee component | Amount | When paid | Refundable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| MRV application fee | $185 | Before scheduling interview | No (receipt valid 365 days) |
| Visa integrity fee | $250 | At visa issuance (if approved) | No (refund mechanism pending) |
| Total (most applicants) | $435 | Split across two stages | N/A |
MRV fee: State Department fee schedule. Integrity fee: federal statute. Both amounts adjust over time, so verify before applying.
B-1/B-2 visa integrity fee
What the $250 fee covers
The $250 visa integrity fee is paid at visa issuance, not at application, so if the consular officer denies your visa, you don't owe it. The fee is indexed to CPI inflation and adjusts each fiscal year under federal law, so $250 is a floor, not a ceiling.
Visa Waiver Program travelers using ESTA, Canadian citizens who enter without a visa, and applicants changing status inside the U.S. don't pay this fee.
Refund prospects
The Big Beautiful Bill Act includes a reimbursement provision for visa holders who comply with all conditions:
- Timely departure
- No unauthorized work, or
- Lawful status change before the visa expires
The Department of State hasn't finalized the refund process yet. Plan around this $250 as a cost for now, and check back with the State Department as the mechanism develops.
B-1/B-2 visa extension cost
I-539 filing fees
Extending a B-1/B-2 stay requires filing Form I-539 with USCIS before your I-94 expiration date. Filing costs $420 online or $470 on paper, with current amounts on the USCIS I-539 fee page. Filing after your authorized stay expires starts the clock on unlawful presence, which complicates future visa applications.
Extensions aren't guaranteed. USCIS considers them for unexpected events and compelling humanitarian reasons. If you think you'll need more time, file early and document your circumstances clearly.
Additional B-1/B-2 visa costs
Three cost categories sit on top of the standard fees: visa bonds for designated countries, EVUS enrollment for Chinese nationals, and reciprocity fees that vary by nationality.
Visa bond (designated countries)
Applicants from approximately 50 designated countries may be required to post a refundable bond of $5,000 to $15,000 (subject to change), set by the consular officer at the interview. The State Department returns it when the visa holder departs on time, the visa expires unused, or CBP denies entry at the port. Check the State Department bonds list before budgeting, as the list expands over time, and the consular officer's determination isn't predictable.
EVUS for Chinese nationals
Chinese nationals with a 10-year B-1/B-2 visa must enroll in EVUS every two years. Enrollment costs $30.75, per the EVUS website. USCIS can deny EVUS enrollment, which effectively prevents travel on that visa even while it remains physically valid.
Reciprocity fees
Some nationalities owe no reciprocity fee at all. Others pay several hundred dollars on top of the MRV and integrity fees. Check the State Department's reciprocity tables for the fee specific to your country.
From visitor to work visa: comparing the costs
What employers cover vs. what you pay
B-1/B-2 applicants cover every fee themselves: the MRV, the integrity fee, any bond, EVUS, and reciprocity costs. Visitor status doesn't authorize employment. Work visa applicants face a different equation: employers pay most filing fees by regulation or practice, including American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) training fees, and your out-of-pocket cost drops significantly.
| Fee type | B-1/B-2 (you pay) | H-1B (employer pays) |
|---|---|---|
| Application/petition fee | $185 MRV | $780 I-129 (employer) |
| Visa integrity fee | $250 (you) | $250 (applicant at stamping) |
| Fraud prevention/training fees | N/A | $1,290+ ACWIA (employer) |
| Total out-of-pocket for applicant | $435+ | $250 (at consulate stamping) |
Work visa fees: USCIS fee schedule. Amounts may change, so verify before applying.
The cost difference is significant, but the more important variable is finding an employer who's already set up for sponsorship. Migrate Mate surfaces sponsoring employers with active filing history, so you can search by role and see which companies have handled H-1B sponsorship before.
Visitor visas put every fee on you. Work visas shift most costs to the employer.
Find visa-sponsoring employersFrequently asked questions
Is the visa integrity fee refundable?
The statute allows reimbursement for visa holders who comply with all terms, but the Department of State hasn't finalized the refund mechanism. Treat the $250 as non-refundable when budgeting. If a refund process becomes available, it would apply to holders who depart on time, don't work without authorization, or change to another lawful status.
Do I have to pay $250 to enter the U.S.?
The $250 visa integrity fee applies to nonimmigrant visa applicants when their visa is issued, not when they enter the country. Visa Waiver Program travelers (ESTA), Canadian citizens, and anyone who already holds a valid visa don't pay it. The fee is for new visa issuances at a consulate, not for admission at the border.
Is the B-1/B-2 visa application fee refundable if denied?
The $185 MRV application fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome. However, the fee payment receipt stays valid for 365 days, allowing the applicant to reapply within that window without paying again. Applicants who receive a 221(g) visa refusal can use the same receipt for their follow-up submission.
What is the visa bond for B-1/B-2 applicants?
A refundable bond of $5,000 to $15,000 that applicants from approximately 50 designated countries must post if the consular officer approves the B-1/B-2 visa. Check the State Department bonds list to confirm whether your country is designated. State returns the bond when the holder departs on time, the visa expires unused, or CBP denies admission at the port of entry. Bond holders must enter and exit through commercial airports only.
How much does it cost to extend a B-2 visa?
Filing Form I-539 with USCIS costs $420 online or $470 for paper filing. The applicant must file before their I-94 expiration date. Extensions are limited to unexpected events and compelling humanitarian reasons, and there's no guarantee of approval.
Will B-1/B-2 visa fees increase again?
The visa integrity fee adjusts annually for inflation under the Big Beautiful Bill Act, so the $250 is a floor that will rise over time. The MRV application fee is set by State Department regulation and changes less frequently. The current $185 rate was set in June 2023, and applicants interested in how different visa type R notation classifications affect fees can check the State Department schedule.
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