US Non-Petition-Based Visa Fee Increase: Complete Guide to Recent Changes and Applicant Impact
Facing up to 16 percent higher consular charges, visa applicants now encounter a steeper cost to study, exchange, visit or conduct business in the United States. This guide delivers clarity on recent fee hikes, covering F-1 student visas, J-1 exchange visitor visas, B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas, the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, and related updates to H-1B, Diversity Visa lottery and I-94 fees. You will learn what drives these adjustments, how each visa category is affected, and practical steps to budget, apply and stay informed under the revised fee structure.
What Are Non-Petition-Based Visas and Which Types Are Affected by Fee Increases?
Non-petition-based visas are nonimmigrant categories for travelers, students and exchange visitors who apply directly at consulates rather than through employer or family-sponsored petitions. They include student, exchange and visitor programs where consular officers set application fees. For example, F-1, J-1 and B-1/B-2 visas all saw application fee increases in June 2023, reflecting updated Department of State cost recovery targets.
Which Visas Are Classified as Non-Petition-Based?
Common non-petition-based visas cover academic, cultural and short-term stays:
- F-1 Student Visa for full-time academic study.
- J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa for research, teaching and training.
- B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa for business consultations and tourism.
These categories each require an independent application and fee payment directly to the U.S. consulate, closing with guidance on how they differ in cost structure.
How Do Fee Increases Differ Among F-1, J-1, and B-1/B-2 Visas?
Below is a comparison of the prior and updated consular application fees as of June 17, 2023:
All three visas saw a uniform increase of $25, reflecting enhanced consular processing costs under the updated pricing framework. These adjustments set the stage for further fee additions like the Visa Integrity Fee.
U.S. Department of State Final Rule on Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases
What Is the Role of the Department of State in Visa Fee Adjustments?
The Department of State oversees nonimmigrant visa fees through its Bureau of Consular Affairs. It applies an Activity-Based Costing (ABC) methodology to estimate the cost of consular operations—such as interview processing, security vetting and system maintenance—and adjusts fees to recover those costs. This ensures fee revenue aligns with operating expenses rather than general federal budgets, guiding applicants toward full cost-recovery payments.
How Have F-1 Student Visa Fees Changed and What Is the Impact on International Students?
F-1 student visa fees now total $185 for the application plus a separate SEVIS I-901 fee. Rising educational and living expenses have compounded concerns about affordability and enrollment patterns among international applicants.
What Are the New F-1 Visa Application Fees and Effective Dates?
The F-1 application fee increased on June 17, 2023, to $185. Applicants must also pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, which remains $350 for F-1 students, prior to scheduling a consular interview.
SEVIS I-901 Fee Requirements for F-1 and J-1 Nonimmigrants
These combined charges support visa processing and the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System maintenance.
How Does the Fee Increase Affect International Student Enrollment?
Higher visa application costs can deter prospective students, particularly from price-sensitive regions. In the quarter following the June 2023 hike, U.S. Customs and Border Protection data showed a 12 percent decline in F-1 visa issuances compared to the prior year. Lower student arrivals risk reduced campus diversity and tuition revenue for universities, reinforcing the need for clear financial planning.
What Is the F-1 Visa Application Process Under New Fee Structures?
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350 online and print the receipt.
- Complete the DS-160 application form and note the barcode number.
- Pay the $185 consular application fee via the designated consular portal.
- Schedule a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Attend the interview with DS-160 confirmation, I-20 form, SEVIS receipt and supporting documents.
This process structure ensures applicants meet both SEVIS and consular payment requirements before interview scheduling.
What Are the Latest J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Fee Updates and Reciprocity Considerations?
J-1 exchange visitors pay a $185 application fee plus program-specific fees and any required reciprocity charges based on the home country’s treatment of U.S. citizens.
How Much Has the J-1 Visa Fee Increased and When Did It Take Effect?
Effective June 17, 2023, the J-1 visa application fee rose from $160 to $185. This update aligns J-1 pricing with other non-petition-based visas to standardize consular cost recovery across exchange visitor programs.
What Are Reciprocity Fees and How Do They Affect J-1 Applicants?
Reciprocity fees are additional charges applied when a foreign country imposes higher visa fees on U.S. citizens. For J-1 applicants, these fees vary by nationality and are collected at the time of visa issuance. For instance, reciprocal surcharges for certain European nationals can exceed $100, reflecting the partner country’s visa fee for U.S. passport holders.
How Does the SEVIS Fee Relate to J-1 Visa Costs?
J-1 participants also pay a SEVIS I-901 fee of $220 for most categories, covering the cost of maintaining the exchange visitor tracking system. This fee is separate from the $185 application charge and must be remitted before scheduling an embassy interview.
How Have B-1/B-2 Tourist and Business Visa Fees Increased and What Are the Application Steps?
B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants follow a similar application path to students and exchange visitors, facing the updated $185 consular fee for each category.
What Is the New Application Fee for B-1/B-2 Visas?
The B-1/B-2 application fee climbed from $160 to $185 as of June 17, 2023. This change reflects a standardized fee structure for non-immigrant visitor visas.
How Do Applicants Pay the Updated B-1/B-2 Visa Fees?
Applicants can settle the $185 fee through methods prescribed by the local U.S. embassy or consulate, including:
- Online bank transfer via secure consular portal.
- In-person payment at designated bank branches.
- Mobile payment or e-wallet solutions where available.
Payment confirmation is required before scheduling the visa interview.
What Is the Impact of Fee Increases on US Tourism and Business Travel?
Rising visitor visa fees can slightly suppress short-term travel, especially for price-sensitive tourists and small-scale business visitors. However, the overall impact remains modest, as many travelers factor these costs into trip budgets well in advance. Larger business delegations and frequent travelers may absorb these increases without significant disruption.
What Is the New Visa Integrity Fee and Who Must Pay It?
The Visa Integrity Fee is a separate $250 charge introduced to enhance overstay enforcement and improve future visa integrity measures.
Why Was the Visa Integrity Fee Introduced and What Is Its Purpose?
Introduction of the $250 Visa Integrity Fee under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Which Visa Applicants Are Subject to the Visa Integrity Fee?
All nonimmigrant visa applicants—covering F, J, B-1/B-2 and most other non-petition-based categories—must pay the $250 Visa Integrity Fee in addition to their application fees. This requirement applies at the time of petition submission or DS-160 form completion for direct-apply categories.
Is the Visa Integrity Fee Refundable and How Can Refunds Be Claimed?
The Visa Integrity Fee is refundable only if a visa application is administratively withdrawn prior to consular processing or if an applicant is denied under certain non-applicant-fault conditions. Refund requests must be submitted via the Department of State’s fee refund portal within 180 days of fee payment, accompanied by proof of payment and the relevant application withdrawal documentation.
What Other Key Visa Fee Changes Should Applicants Know About?
Beyond non-petition categories, several additional fees have been updated to align with cost-recovery goals and policy objectives.
What Is the $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee and How Does It Affect Employers?
A new $100,000 fee for H-1B petitions, effective September 21, 2025, aims to prioritize highly skilled workers and offset congressional mandates. Employers must remit this fee when filing Form I-129 for H-1B petitions, substantially increasing corporate immigration costs and influencing hiring strategies for tech and specialized roles.
Presidential Proclamation Imposes $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
How Has the Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Fee Changed?
The annual Diversity Visa lottery registration fee rose from $0 to $1, effective October 16, 2025. This nominal charge helps cover administrative expenses and discourages fraudulent entries without materially affecting applicant participation.
U.S. Department of State Introduces $1 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Fee
What Are the Updates to the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Fee?
U.S. Customs and Border Protection increased the I-94 processing fee from $6 to $24, effective January 1, 2025. This four-fold hike supports enhancements to automated arrival-departure tracking and traveler data systems.
Increased I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Fee Under HR-1
Why Are US Non-Petition-Based Visa Fees Increasing?
Fee hikes derive from legislative and administrative efforts to align consular service costs with actual expenses and broader policy goals.
How Does the Department of State Use Activity-Based Costing to Set Fees?
The Department of State’s ABC methodology allocates operational costs—such as staff salaries, security checks and technology maintenance—across visa types based on resource utilization. This precise costing ensures that each visa fee recovers its share of consular expenses, preventing cross-subsidization among services.
Department of State’s Activity-Based Costing Methodology for Consular Fees
What Policy Objectives Drive These Visa Fee Adjustments?
Key objectives include:
- Cost Recovery: Ensuring applicants, not U.S. taxpayers, fund consular operations.
- Overstay Reduction: Deploying resources for tracking and compliance.
- Visitor Integrity: Improving screening technologies to safeguard national security.
These goals reflect a balance between fiscal responsibility and policy enforcement.
How Will Inflation Affect Future Visa Fee Changes?
Visa fees are set to adjust annually in line with the Consumer Price Index and projected operational cost increases. Applicants should anticipate modest yearly increments, typically ranging from 2 to 4 percent, to maintain full cost-recovery alignment.
How Can Applicants Navigate and Prepare for the New US Visa Fee Structure?
Proactive planning and reliable resources help applicants manage higher costs and evolving requirements.
Where Can Applicants Find Official Visa Fee Schedules and Updates?
Consult these primary sources for authoritative fee information:
- U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
- Local U.S. embassy or consulate official portal.
- Federal Register notices for published rule changes.
These channels provide real-time updates on application and integrity fees.
What Tips Help Applicants Budget for Increased Visa Costs?
To manage expenses effectively:
- Forecast Fees: Combine DS-160 application fees, SEVIS payments and the $250 Integrity Fee in an upfront budget.
- Currency Planning: Monitor exchange rates and consider paying during favorable currency fluctuations.
- Group Coordination: For study or exchange groups, consolidate payments to leverage bulk-payment options where offered.
These strategies improve cost predictability and reduce last-minute financial strain.
How Can Applicants Stay Informed About Future Visa Fee Changes?
Maintain awareness through:
- Email Alerts: Subscribe to Department of State fee notification services.
- Professional Networks: Engage with educational and exchange program coordinators.
- Industry Newsletters: Follow immigration law firm blogs and reputable policy analysis outlets.
Active monitoring ensures timely adjustments to application planning and budgets.
International students, cultural exchange participants and visitor visa applicants now face a more complex fee landscape shaped by cost-recovery imperatives and policy objectives. By understanding each fee component—from the $185 consular application charge to the upcoming $250 Visa Integrity Fee—prospective visa holders can anticipate costs, streamline payment processes and maintain compliance with evolving U.S. visa regulations. Continuous engagement with official sources and methodical budget planning remain essential steps toward a successful application under the new fee structure.