Study Abroad Content Specialist
US Visa is a family of 25 non-immigrant and immigrant visas. The F, J, M and H1-B visas are the most popular among Indian and other international students. F, J, and M category visas are for students for academic purposes, while the H category is for temporary workers/ employment or trainees.
- F-1 Visa (Academic Student Visa): The most common visa for international students pursuing academic studies at accredited institutions in the US such as universities, colleges, and high schools. This visa allows you for part-time work on campus and eligibility for Optional Practical Training (OPT) post-graduation.
- J-1 Visa (Exchange Visitor Visa): This visa is for students participating in exchange programs, including university exchange programs, internships, and research. Students must have a sponsor (e.g., a university or government program) and may be subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement upon program completion.
- M-1 Visa (Vocational Student Visa): For students attending vocational or technical institutions. This visa is less common and does not allow students to work while studying.
Also read: US Visa: Myth vs Reality
Breakdown of US Visa Application Fees for Indian Students
To get any type of non-immigrant US Visas, you need to pay the following fees.
- SEVIS Fee: The SEVIS fee supports the maintenance of the SEVIS database, which manages and tracks students and exchange visitors in USA
- MRV Fee: An MRV or Machine Readable Visa fee is the primary application fee for processing non-immigrant US visas.
Each visa type has specific application and related fees that must be paid during the visa process. Here, we have described the SEVIS and MRV Fee that Indian students need to pay for US Student Visas.
SEVIS Fee
SEVIS fee is applicable for F, J, and M visas only. It is not required for other visa categories like B, C, I or D etc. Here, we have listed the SEVIS fees for different types of student visas in USA.
| Visa Category | SEVIS Fee |
|---|---|
| F | 350 USD (full payment) |
| J | 220 USD (full payment)35 USD (subsidized) |
| M | 350 USD (full payment) |
MRV Fee for Non-petition US Based Visas
An MRV fee of 185 USD is required for all the non-petition based non-immigrant visas.
- B Visa: Visitor visa for Business, Tourism, Medical treatment
- C-1 Visa: Transiting the United States
- D Visa: This visa is for crew members of Airline, Ship
- F Visa: For academic students
- I Visa: For Media and Journalists
- J Visa: Exchange Visitors (No fees for individuals participating in official U.S. Government-sponsored educational and cultural exchanges)
- M Visa: Vocational Students
- TN/ TD Visa: NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) Professionals
- S Visa: Witness or Informant
- T Visa: Victim of Trafficking in Persons
- U Visa: Victim of Criminal Activity
Note: Though a petition is required for S, T, and U Visas, the application fee is 185 USD for these categories as well.
MRV Fee for Petition Based US Visas
An application fee of 205 USD is required for the following petition based visa categories
- H Visa: Temporary Workers/ Employment or Trainees
- L Visa: Intracompany Transferees
- O Visa: For Persons with Extraordinary Ability
- P Visa: For Athletes. Artists & Entertainers
- Q Visa: International Cultural Exchange
- R Visa: Religious Worker
- E Visa: For Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty category visa, the fee is 315 USD
- K Visa: For Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa, the fee is 265 USD.
Note: For individuals aged 15 and over, a Border crossing card is required. The fee for a Border crossing card is 185 USD for the above petition based non-immigrant visas.
How to Pay US Visa Fees: Step-by-step Guide
Here, we have mentioned how you can pay the required money to get your US visa.
- Pay the SEVIS Fee:
- Visit the SEVIS fee website.
- Complete the payment using your SEVIS ID, found on your I-20 form (for F-1 and M-1 visas) or DS-2019 form (for J-1 visas).
- Print the payment receipt to present at your visa interview.
- Pay the MRV Fee:
- Visit the U.S. Visa Information and Appointment Services website for India.
- Follow the instructions for payment options. Select NEFT, mobile payment, or cash payment, as per convenience.
- Save and print the receipt as proof of payment.
After both SEVIS and MRV fees are paid, proceed to schedule your visa interview through the Consular Electronic Application Center (CEAC) website. Choose an appointment at your nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy and prepare the required documents. The next step is to attend the interview all necessary documents, including I-20/ DS-2019 form, passport, SEVIS receipt, MRV receipt, academic records, financial proof, and any additional documentation requested.
FAQs
Ques: How much is the visa fee for USA?
Ans: The U.S. student visa (F-1, J-1, M-1) application fee is $185, with an additional $350 SEVIS fee for F-1 and M-1 applicants.
Ques: How to get a 10-year US visa?
Ans: To obtain a 10-year U.S. tourist or business visa (B1/B2), apply through the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Approval depends on eligibility and the interview outcome.
Ques: How much is the US entry visa fee?
Ans: The standard U.S. entry visa application fee is $185, applicable to most non-immigrant visas like tourist (B1/B2) and student (F-1, J-1) visas.
Ques: How much is the visa fee for India from the USA?
Ans: Indian tourist visa fees for U.S. citizens start around $100 for short-term visas, varying by visa type and validity. Check the official Indian visa website for exact amounts.
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