United States visitor visa fee (B1/B2)
- B1/B2 visa application fee
- US$185 per applicant 1
- Refundable?
- No, the processing fee is non-refundable 1
- Visa integrity fee in law
- At least US$250, charged at issuance 2
- Visa integrity fee status
- Not on the State Department fee list on 19 October 2026 1
- ESTA (Visa Waiver travellers)
- US$40.62 from 16 October 2026 5
What a B1/B2 visitor visa costs
The State Department lists the B visa (business, tourism and medical treatment) under non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas. The application processing fee is US$185 1.
You pay this fee before your visa interview. The State Department says the nonimmigrant visa application processing fee is non-refundable 1. If your visa is refused, you do not get it back.
Some nationalities pay an extra issuance fee when the visa is approved. The State Department calls this a reciprocity fee and says the amount varies by country. You can check your country in its reciprocity tables 1.
The visa integrity fee under the 2025 law
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Public Law 119-21) was signed on 4 July 2025. Section 100007 tells the Secretary of Homeland Security to charge a visa integrity fee to anyone issued a nonimmigrant visa, at the time of issuance 2.
For fiscal year 2025 the fee is the greater of US$250 or an amount DHS sets by rule. From fiscal year 2026 it rises each year with consumer prices, rounded down to the nearest dollar. The law says the fee cannot be waived or reduced 2.
The law lets DHS repay the fee after the visa expires. You must show that you kept to the visa conditions, did not work without permission, and left the United States no later than 5 days after your permitted stay ended. A person who got an extension or became a permanent resident can qualify too 2.
In a notice of 22 July 2025, DHS said the visa integrity fee needs cross-agency coordination and will be put in place in a future publication 3. On 19 October 2026 the State Department visa fee page still listed only the US$185 application fee for B visas and did not mention the visa integrity fee 1. Press reports in July 2025 said no start date had been set 7. Check the official fee page before you apply.
ESTA for Visa Waiver travellers
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries apply for an ESTA travel authorization instead of a visa. Before the 2025 law, the ESTA fee was US$21. The same law raised it to US$40, and CBP began charging that amount on 30 September 2025 4.
The fee is adjusted for inflation each fiscal year. It rose to US$40.27 on 1 January 2026 8. A notice published on 1 October 2026 set it at US$40.62 from 16 October 2026. If your ESTA application is denied, you pay US$10.62 5.
You apply for ESTA on the official CBP website 6.
Other US entry fees that changed in 2025 and 2026
- Form I-94 at a land border: US$30 in total, made up of the existing US$6 fee and a new US$24 fee, charged from 30 September 2025. There is no I-94 fee at air or sea ports 4.
- The I-94 fee stays at US$30 for fiscal year 2027 5.
- EVUS enrollment, used by Chinese nationals with 10-year visitor visas, costs US$31.75 from 16 October 2026 5.
How to pay and where to apply
Visa fees and the list of current amounts are on the State Department's official fee page 1. ESTA applications and payment go through the CBP ESTA website 6. Use only these official sites.
Common questions
How much is a US tourist visa in 2026?
The B1/B2 visitor visa application fee is US$185 1.
Do I have to pay the US$250 visa integrity fee now?
The law sets the fee at a minimum of US$250, collected when a visa is issued 2. DHS said it would start in a future publication, and the State Department fee page did not list it on 19 October 2026 1,3.
Can I get the visa integrity fee back?
The law allows DHS to repay it after the visa expires if you kept to the visa terms and left on time, within 5 days of your permitted stay ending 2.
Is the US visa fee refunded if I am refused?
No. The State Department says the application processing fee is non-refundable 1.
How much is ESTA now?
ESTA costs US$40.62 from 16 October 2026, or US$10.62 if your application is denied 5.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email hello@visafeesexplained.com with the official link.
Sources
- U.S. Department of State: Fees for Visa Services (accessed 19 October 2026)
- U.S. Government Publishing Office: Public Law 119-21, sections 100007, 100008 and 100014 (4 July 2025)
- Federal Register: USCIS Immigration Fees Required by HR-1 Reconciliation Bill (22 July 2025)
- Federal Register: CBP Immigration Fees Required by HR-1 for Fiscal Year 2025 (28 August 2025)
- Federal Register: Certain DHS Immigration-Related Fees Required by HR-1, Fiscal Year 2027 Adjustments for Inflation (1 October 2026)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Official ESTA application website
- CNBC via NBC4 Washington: Travelers to the U.S. must pay a new $250 visa integrity fee (18 July 2025)
- Federal Register: Certain DHS Immigration Fees Required by HR-1, Fiscal Year 2026 Adjustments for Inflation (19 November 2025)
Related
- Visitor visa fees by country
Standard short-stay visitor visa fees for the US, Schengen, UK, Canada, Australia, China, India, Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Türkiye.
- Canada visitor visa and biometrics fees
A Canada visitor visa costs CAN$100 per person, plus CAN$85 for biometrics. Family maximums, eTA cost, payment methods and refunds.
- UK Standard Visitor visa fees
A UK Standard Visitor visa costs £135 for up to 6 months. Fees for 2, 5 and 10 year visas, the 8 April 2026 rise, priority services and refunds.
- Schengen short-stay visa fee
The Schengen short-stay visa fee is €90 for adults and €45 for children aged 6 to 11. Reduced fees, waivers, the €45 service fee cap and refunds.