How to Pay Your Immigrant Visa Fee
What the immigrant visa fee covers and who pays it
The immigrant visa fee is a charge you pay to the U.S. Department of State when you are approved for an immigrant visa and are ready to travel to the United States. The fee covers the cost of processing your visa application, conducting your medical exam, and issuing your visa document. You pay this fee once, not multiple times, and it is separate from any filing fees you may have paid earlier in your immigration case.
The person immigrating pays the fee, not a family member or sponsor, though a sponsor or family member can pay on your behalf if they send the money in your name. The fee amount depends on the type of immigrant visa you are seeking — family-based visas, employment-based visas, and diversity visas each have the same standard fee, but some categories like immediate relatives of U.S. citizens may have different amounts. Check your visa approval notice or the U.S. embassy or consulate website for your specific country to confirm the exact fee.
You will receive a bill for this fee in a document called a bill notice or invoice, usually sent by email or mail from the National Visa Center (NVC) or the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case. This notice will tell you exactly how much you owe, the deadline to pay, and the methods accepted for payment.
Key Takeaways
- The immigrant visa fee is paid after your visa is approved and before you travel, and the amount varies by visa type but is listed on your bill notice.
- You can pay by bank transfer (ACH), credit card, debit card, or cashier's check, depending on which method your embassy or consulate accepts.
- Payment is made to the U.S. Department of State, and you must include your case number or receipt number with your payment so it is matched to your file.
- Once you pay, keep your receipt or confirmation number — you will need it to schedule your visa interview or complete your visa processing.
- If you cannot pay by the deadline, contact the NVC or your embassy immediately; missing the deadline can delay your visa issuance.
Payment methods accepted and how to send money
Most U.S. embassies and consulates accept payment by bank transfer (ACH), credit card, debit card, or cashier's check. The specific methods available depend on your location and the consulate handling your case. Your bill notice will list which methods are accepted where you are applying.
If you are paying by bank transfer, you will receive wire instructions that include the bank account number, routing number, and the exact amount to send. Include your case number or receipt number in the wire transfer memo line so the payment is matched to your file. Bank transfers typically take three to five business days to arrive, so send the money with time to spare before your deadline.
Credit card and debit card payments are usually made online through a secure portal provided by the NVC or your embassy. You will enter your card information and case number, and you receive a confirmation number immediately. There may be a small processing fee added to your total.
If you are sending a cashier's check, make it payable to "U.S. Department of State" and write your case number on the back. Mail it to the address listed on your bill notice. Checks sent by mail can take one to two weeks to arrive and be processed, so mail early. Do not send cash or a personal check.
When and where to pay
You must pay the immigrant visa fee by the deadline shown on your bill notice. This deadline is usually 30 to 60 days from the date the bill was issued, but it varies. If you do not pay by the deadline, your visa processing may be delayed or your case may be returned to the immigration office that approved it.
Payment is sent to the U.S. Department of State, not to the embassy or consulate directly. Your bill notice will provide the specific mailing address (if paying by check) or the online payment portal link (if paying by card or bank transfer). Do not send payment to any other address or person.
If you are outside the United States and your embassy or consulate is in a different country than where you live, check whether you can pay online or whether you must use a specific method. Some countries have limited payment options, so confirm this before your deadline approaches.
What happens after you pay
Once your payment is received and processed, you will receive a receipt or confirmation. Keep this confirmation — you will need the receipt number or confirmation number to schedule your visa interview or to prove payment if there are any questions later.
After payment is confirmed, the NVC or your embassy will contact you with instructions for the next step, which is usually scheduling your medical exam (if you have not had one yet) and your visa interview. The timeline for scheduling varies by location and how busy the embassy is, but it typically happens within a few weeks of payment.
If you do not hear from the NVC or embassy within a reasonable time after paying, contact them to confirm your payment was received. Use your receipt number when you call or email.
What to do if you cannot pay by the deadline
If you cannot pay by the deadline on your bill notice, contact the NVC or your embassy immediately. Do not wait until the deadline passes. Explain your situation and ask whether they can extend the deadline or work out a payment plan. Some consulates may grant a short extension if you request it before the deadline.
If your case is returned to the immigration office because the fee was not paid, you may have to restart parts of the visa process, which can add months to your timeline. Contacting the NVC or embassy early gives you the best chance of avoiding this.
If you are experiencing financial hardship, some embassies may reduce the fee or allow you to pay in installments, though this is not may provide. Ask what options exist in your situation.
Common payment mistakes to avoid
Do not include your case number in the wrong place. If you are paying by bank transfer, put your case number in the memo line. If you are paying by check, write it on the back. If you are paying online, enter it in the case number field. A payment without a case number may be received but not matched to your file, which delays your processing.
Do not send payment to the wrong address or to the embassy directly. Always use the address or payment portal listed on your bill notice. Money sent to the wrong place may be returned or lost.
Do not assume your payment arrived just because you sent it. If you paid by check or bank transfer, allow time for processing and then confirm with the NVC or embassy that your payment was received. If you paid online, save your confirmation number immediately.
Do not pay more than the amount listed on your bill notice. Some people add extra money thinking it will speed up processing — it will not, and overpayment can create confusion in your file.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can someone else pay the immigrant visa fee for me?
Yes. A family member, friend, or sponsor can pay on your behalf as long as the payment is made in your name and your case number is included. The person paying should use the same payment method and instructions as if you were paying yourself. Keep the receipt in case there are questions about the payment.
What if I paid but the NVC says they did not receive it?
If you paid by check or bank transfer, it may still be in transit or processing. Ask the NVC or embassy how long they typically take to receive and record payments. If you paid by card online, you should have a confirmation number — provide that to them. If the payment is truly lost, you may need to pay again, and the NVC can sometimes refund the first payment once it arrives.
Do I need to pay the visa fee before my medical exam?
This varies by embassy. Some require payment before scheduling the medical exam, while others allow you to schedule the exam and pay the fee around the same time. Check your bill notice or contact your embassy to learn the order of steps for your location.
What if my visa is denied after I pay the fee?
The immigrant visa fee is not refunded if your visa is denied. However, if your case is denied and you later reapply, you may not have to pay the fee again — ask the NVC or embassy whether the fee covers a new application or whether you must pay again.
How do I know if my payment was received?
If you paid online by card, you receive a confirmation number immediately. If you paid by bank transfer or check, contact the NVC or your embassy after allowing time for processing (three to five days for transfers, one to two weeks for checks) and provide your case number. They can tell you whether the payment has been recorded in your file.