Visa costs vary significantly depending on the visa type, purpose of travel, and whether the visa is petition-based or non-petition-based. For U.S. nonimmigrant visas, standard application fees range from $185 to $315, with most visitor, student, and exchange visas costing $185, while petition-based work visas like H, L, and O categories typically cost $205. Special categories such as E visas cost $315, and K visas for fiancés or spouses cost $265 ^[1][2][6]. Immigrant visas, including family-based and employment-based applications, range from $325 to $775, with diversity lottery visas at $330 ^[5]. A new "visa integrity fee" of at least $250 will apply to most nonimmigrant visa applicants starting in fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024), adding to the total cost ^[4][8][9].

• Nonimmigrant visas: $185 (standard) to $315 (special categories) plus new $250 integrity fee ^[1][4]
• Immigrant visas: $325 to $775, depending on category ^[5]
• H-1B visas: Proposed $100,000 fee under 2025 policy changes ^[10]
• Additional costs: SEVIS fees ($220 for J-1), premium processing ($2,805), and employer-specific fees ^[7]

The total cost can exceed $1,000 for a single applicant when combining base fees, integrity fees, and processing charges, with employment-based visas facing the highest increases.

U.S. Visa Cost Breakdown by Category

Nonimmigrant Visa Fees and New Integrity Charges

Nonimmigrant visas cover temporary visits for tourism, business, study, or work. The base application fees are standardized but vary by visa classification. As of 2024, the U.S. State Department charges $185 for most non-petition-based visas, including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F (student), J (exchange visitor), and M (vocational student) categories ^[1][2]. Petition-based visas—those requiring employer or family sponsorship—cost $205 for categories like H-1B (specialty occupations), L (intracompany transfers), and O (extraordinary ability) ^[6]. Specialized visas incur higher fees:

• E visas (treaty traders/investors): $315 ^[1]
• K visas (fiancé/spouse of U.S. citizens): $265 ^[2]

A significant change takes effect in fiscal year 2025 (October 2024–September 2025) with the introduction of a $250 "visa integrity fee" for nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants. This fee:

• Applies to tourists, students, temporary workers, and other nonimmigrant categories ^[4][9]
• Is non-waivable and non-refundable in practice, despite theoretical reimbursement provisions ^[8]
• Increases annually with inflation starting in 2026 ^[9]
• Does not apply to travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries ^[4]

For a family of four, the integrity fee alone adds $1,000 to the total cost, on top of base application fees ^[9]. Critics argue this may deter international tourism and business travel, particularly for major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup ^[4].

Immigrant and Employment-Based Visa Costs

Immigrant visas, which grant permanent residency, involve higher fees due to the complexity of processing. Family-based immigrant visas cost $325 for immediate relatives (spouses, parents, or children of U.S. citizens) and $675 for other family-sponsored categories ^[1][5]. Employment-based immigrant visas range from $345 to $775, depending on the specific petition:

• Employment-based (most categories): $345 ^[5]
• Diversity Lottery (green card lottery): $330 ^[5]
• Special Immigrant Visas (SIV): Up to $775 ^[5]

Employment-based nonimmigrant visas, such as the H-1B, face additional costs beyond the base application fee. The University of Washington’s breakdown for employer-sponsored visas includes:

• H-1B visa request fee: $519 (paid by the employer) ^[7]
• USCIS I-129 filing fee: $460 ^[7]
• H-1B Fraud Prevention fee: $500 (mandatory for initial petitions) ^[7]
• Premium processing (optional): $2,805 for expedited 15-day processing ^[7]

A proposed $100,000 fee for H-1B visas was announced in September 2025, replacing the previous $2,000–$5,000 range. This dramatic increase aims to fund immigration system reforms but has sparked concerns about:

• Economic impact: Employers may reduce hiring of foreign skilled workers, particularly in tech and engineering ^[10]
• Humanitarian concerns: Potential "brain drain" as workers seek opportunities in countries with lower fees ^[10]
• Legal challenges: The fee’s legality and implementation details remain unclear ^[10]

Other employment-based visas, such as L-1 (intracompany transfers) and O-1 (extraordinary ability), also incur USCIS fees ranging from $510 to $715, plus optional premium processing ^[7].

Additional and Hidden Costs

Beyond the base visa fees, applicants often face secondary expenses that significantly increase the total cost:

• SEVIS fee: $220 for J-1 exchange visitors and F/M students (paid to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program) ^[7]
• Medical examination: Required for immigrant visas, with costs varying by country (typically $200–$500) ^[5]
• Visa issuance reciprocity fees: Some countries impose additional fees based on reciprocal agreements with the U.S. ^[3]
• Legal and consulting fees: Immigration attorneys may charge $100–$300/hour for petition preparation ^[6]
• Dependent fees: Spouses or children accompanying the primary applicant often require separate visa applications, doubling or tripling costs ^[7]

For example, a J-1 visa for a postdoctoral scholar with three dependents at the University of Washington costs:

• $4,640 total for a 2-year sponsorship (including dependents) ^[7]
• $220 SEVIS fee (non-refundable) ^[7]
• $185 visa application fee per dependent ^[1]

Employers sponsoring TN visas (for Canadian/Mexican professionals) must also account for:

• $510 USCIS filing fee ^[7]
• $56 port-of-entry fee for Canadian applicants ^[7]

These hidden costs are rarely waived, even for academic or nonprofit organizations. Units at the University of Washington, for instance, are prohibited from seeking reimbursement from employees for visa-related fees ^[7].