The Visa Application Fee is the same as the DS-160 Fee. Remember that Form DS-160 is the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application. All prospective international students must complete Form DS-160 before applying to receive an F-1 visa. When you fill out Form DS-160, your visa application won’t be finished until you pay for the Visa Application Fee.
The Visa Application Fee costs $160, and you can pay on the DS-160 online portal when submitting your application. This fee is non-refundable paid by most applicants for U.S. visas, regardless if the visa application is approved or denied.Â
Once you finish your Form DS-160 and pay for the Visa Application Fee, it’s very important that you keep a printed receipt as proof that you paid for it, and remember to bring this receipt to your visa interview!
What is the Visa Application Fee used for?
It covers costs associated with processing a U.S. visa application, such as fingerprint taking, document filing, electronic system and office buildings maintenance, etc.
The Visa Application Fee must not be confused with:
- SEVIS Fee
- Any administrative fees from your school
- Reciprocity Fee/Visa issuance fee
What is a Reciprocity Fee?
It is also known as the visa issuance fee. This fee is required for visa applicants from certain countries only, and this fee is only charged once the visa application has been approved (when necessary).Â
The purpose of this fee is based on the principle of reciprocity: when a foreign government imposes fees on U.S. citizens for certain types of visas, the United States will impose a reciprocal fee on citizens of that country for similar types of visas.
If you are required to pay a Reciprocity Fee (depending on your country of origin), you will be notified at the time of your visa interview after your visa request has been approved.
Remember to always keep receipts of all the fees you pay, whether it’s the Visa Application Fee, I-901 (SEVIS) fee, etc. and if you’re not sure which fee belongs to what, or if you already paid for it, you can always ask your local US Embassy or your school advisor for help.
Keeping all payment receipts printed out and organized in a folder will help you navigate the visa application process as you may need to bring out those receipts at some point, at your visa interview or upon entering the United States.
