Confused by the various fees involved in applying for a US tourist visa for the first time? Don’t worry! In this article, Thao & Co. will help first-time solo applicants navigate US tourist visa application fee in 2024.
US visitor visa application fees extend beyond document processing. The process of US tourist visa application also requires the following fees:
When applying for a US visa, some documents might need English translations. For US tourist visas, you’ll need to present the originals of all your documents to the consular officer during your interview.
While presenting originals is mandatory, including certified English translations of key documents can demonstrate your preparedness. On the other hand, pursuing studies or residency in the US often requires translated and legalized documents.
While some agencies charge extra for a certificate of translation accuracy, Thao & Co. includes it at no additional cost.
The US visa interview fee, also known as the MRV fee, is the mandatory payment required when applying for a US visa. It’s non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of whether your visa is approved or denied.
Currently, the US tourist visa application fee (MRV fee) is USD 185. This amount will be converted to Vietnamese Dong (VND) based on the exchange rate at the time you register for your visa appointment. Rescheduling your US visa appointment more than three times will require payment of a new visa application fee to secure a new appointment.
Note: This fee also applies to the procedure for extending the US tourist visa and is non-refundable if the visa application is denied.
Where to pay US tourist visa application fee? Payment for the US visa fee can be made in cash at any Vietnam Post branch. Simply pay in VND equivalent, calculated per the consulate’s current exchange rate you’ll find on their website.
Submitting your passport and documents at Thanh Xuan Post Office (1 Nguy Nhu Kon Tum, Hanoi) or 18A Cong Hoa Street (Ward 12, Tan Binh District, Ho Chi Minh City) is free. .
For any other courier locations, a VND 133,000 fee applies per passport/document at drop-off.
After your visa is issued, there may be a small optional fee for having your passport delivered directly home. Picking up your issued visa at the mentioned locations is always free.
Picking up your visa at any other courier location incurs a VND 143,000 fee per visa at the time of collection. Regular home delivery service is available for an additional VND 143,000 per visa/document
The fee is VND 240,000 per visa/document for expedited delivery in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. For mailing addresses in other provinces, the expedited delivery fee is VND 302,000.
The delivery fees will be collected in cash upon passport/document delivery. Please have the exact amount in cash ready for payment.
Important considerations: If you’re applying for multiple US tourist visas for your family or group, you only need to make one payment at the post office. No need for separate deposit slips for each application!
While applying for a US visitor visa, be aware of potential additional expenses like travel, printing, and the visa issuance fee collected upon approval. These fees are based on the “reciprocity” policy,
which means they reflect the fees a country charges US citizens for similar visas. This ensures fairness and balance between the two countries. However, Vietnamese citizens will not be charged for US tourist visa issuance.
Your US tourist visa application confirmation page with the barcode is crucial for making the payment at the post office. This confirmation page is provided after submitting your DS-160 form.
Handle this form carefully. Any handwriting, edits, or crinkles could result in rejection. Hold onto your visa fee payment receipt. You’ll need to show it at your visa interview.
Important considerations about US tourist visa application fees:
The United States Department of State has increased the processing fees for some non-immigrant visas since June 17, 2023. US visa fees have risen to US $185 in 2023 compared to $160 in previous years.
If you paid your non-immigrant visa fee before June 17, 2023, and your application is still pending, you won’t be charged the new increased fee. US tourist visa applications submitted after June 17, 2023, will be charged the new fee
Especially, the exchange rate for US tourist visa payments has increased from VND 24,000 to VND 25,000 per one USD since September 2023. Hence, paying the US tourist visa fee of $185 will set you back VND 4,625,000.
Given the various cost considerations outlined above, let’s explore some valuable tips for planning a budget-friendly US trip:
Let Thao & Co. handle the heavy lifting! Our rigorous quality checks and optimized workflows ensure flawless translations in record time. For added peace of mind and enhanced professionalism, we offer our certificate of translation accuracy free of charge with every project. Visit our Get a Quote page to receive a free consultation promptly!
We hope this guide on US tourist visa fees equips you for a smooth and stress-free journey. Thao & Co. is here to make your visa application a breeze, so let’s turn your travel dreams into reality!
