How Much Does a US Visa Cost from India? 2026 Fees Breakdown

Overview

The United States is a top destination for Indian travellers — tourism, family visits, and business all run through the B1/B2 visitor visa. But the cost has changed in 2026, and the headline application fee is no longer the full story. New charges, plus the usual extras like travel and biometrics-related steps, mean the real total is higher than many expect.

This guide breaks down exactly what an Indian applicant pays for a US B1/B2 visa in 2026 so you can budget accurately. On VisitPlane, we verify every route against official sources.

Key takeaway: The US B1/B2 visa application (MRV) fee rose to US$205 (about ₹17,500) on 30 May 2026. A new Visa Integrity Fee of US$250 now applies to most visitor visas on issuance, pushing the realistic total to roughly US$455 (around ₹39,000) before travel costs.

The Headline Visa Fee (2026)

The MRV (Machine Readable Visa) application fee for a B1/B2 visitor visa is US$205 as of 30 May 2026 (up from $185). This is paid upfront before your interview and is non-refundable whether or not the visa is approved.

In rupees, $205 is roughly ₹17,500, though the exact amount depends on the exchange rate at the time you pay.

The New Visa Integrity Fee

A significant 2026 change: most non-immigrant visa applicants, including B1/B2 visitors, are now subject to a Visa Integrity Fee of US$250, charged when the visa is issued. This is a newly introduced charge, so check the latest official guidance for how and when it applies to your case.

Combined with the $205 application fee, the government cost can reach about US$455 (around ₹39,000) for a successful applicant.

The Full Cost Breakdown

A realistic Indian applicant's budget includes:

• MRV application fee: US$205 (~₹17,500).
• Visa Integrity Fee: US$250 on issuance (~₹21,500), where applicable.
• Photographs and document prep: a few hundred rupees.
• Travel to the consulate/VAC: travel and time for biometrics and the interview.
• Travel insurance: ₹2,000–₹5,000 (recommended, not mandatory).

The all-in government cost is therefore roughly ₹39,000+ for most successful B1/B2 applicants in 2026.

Optional Extras and Faster Interviews

Wait times for interview slots in India can be long. The US has introduced paid options in some cases:

• Expedited (emergency) appointments for genuine urgent travel, subject to eligibility.
• A separate paid faster-interview option has been reported for 2026 — check official channels for current availability and price.

For most travellers, applying early and booking the standard interview slot avoids these extra costs.

How to Pay

You pay the MRV fee online through the official US visa appointment system before scheduling your interview. The Visa Integrity Fee, where it applies, is collected at issuance. Pay only through official channels — never third-party "agents" promising guaranteed visas.

What the Whole Trip Costs

Beyond the visa fees, budget for the trip:

• Return flights (India–US): roughly ₹70,000–₹130,000 depending on season and city.
• Accommodation: ₹9,000–₹22,000 per night in major US cities.
• Daily spend (food, transport, attractions): ₹6,000–₹14,000 per person.
• Internal travel: domestic US flights or car rental for longer trips.

A typical 2-week US trip can land around ₹3–6 lakh per person, with long-haul flights the biggest factor.

Ways to Keep the Cost Down

• Apply early to avoid paying for expedited appointments.
• Travel off-peak to cut flight and hotel costs.
• Use the standard process rather than paid fast-track options where possible.
• Book refundable flights/hotels until the visa is in hand.

How the US Compares

The US is now among the more expensive visitor visas for Indians once the Integrity Fee is included — well above the Schengen €90 (~₹8,500) and the UK's £135 (~₹16,500). However, US visitor visas are often issued for 10 years, multiple entry, which spreads the cost across many trips and makes the per-visit cost reasonable for frequent travellers.

Documents That Justify the Spend

Because the fee is non-refundable, prepare a strong case: a valid passport, proof of funds, evidence of strong ties to India (job, business, property, family), and a clear, credible travel purpose. The B1/B2 interview is decisive — be ready to explain your trip concisely and honestly. Use the VisitPlane Visa Wizard and Document Checklist to prepare.

What's Refundable — and What Isn't

A hard truth of the US visa: the MRV application fee is non-refundable, whether you're approved, refused, or simply don't attend the interview. The Visa Integrity Fee, where it applies, is charged at issuance — check the latest official guidance on whether any portion can be reimbursed under specific conditions, as the rules around this 2026 fee are still settling. Either way, plan as though the government fees are sunk costs once paid.

Because so much rides on the interview, the smart sequence is: pay the fees, prepare thoroughly, attend the interview, and only book non-refundable flights and hotels after the visa is in your passport. Until then, keep any bookings refundable. This protects the much larger trip budget from a refusal you can't get the visa fee back on.

How to Strengthen Your US Application

Whether your route is straightforward or strict, the same principles separate smooth approvals from frustrating delays — and they protect the significant fee you pay. At VisitPlane, we've mapped these patterns across dozens of visa routes, and the advice below applies directly to Indian travellers heading to the US, where the consular interview is central.

Start with your finances, because they are the single most scrutinised part of almost any application. Officers check that your funds are genuine and stable, not just present today. A balance that has sat comfortably for three to six months is far more convincing than a large sum that appeared just before you applied. If a relative in the US is supporting your trip, document that relationship clearly.

Next, ensure consistency across your story. Your stated purpose, itinerary, and documents should align. In the interview, answer concisely and truthfully — over-explaining or contradicting your paperwork invites doubt.

Because the visitor visa turns on intent, ties to India matter enormously. Stable employment, a business, property, or dependents reassure the officer that you'll return after your visit. This is the overall picture your application and interview paint.

Finally, be honest and complete. Declaring a previous refusal — for any country — is almost always better than hiding it, because non-disclosure is treated far more seriously than an old rejection. Never use unofficial agents who promise guaranteed approvals.

A practical way to prepare is the VisitPlane Visa Wizard, the VisitPlane document checklist, and our destination guides. VisitPlane verifies every route against official government and embassy sources, so you can prepare with confidence rather than guesswork.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Budgeting only for the $205 fee and missing the Visa Integrity Fee.
• Paying third-party agents for "guaranteed" visas.
• Booking non-refundable flights before approval.
• Applying late and being forced into costly expedited slots.
• A weak interview that undermines an otherwise strong file.

Sample Budgets

To put the fees in context, here are realistic all-in budgets for an Indian traveller:

• First US visit (2 weeks, one region): government fees ~₹39,000 + flights ~₹90,000 + hotels ~₹1.6 lakh + daily spend ~₹80,000 = roughly ₹3.7–4.5 lakh per person.
• Coast-to-coast trip (3 weeks): government fees ~₹39,000 + flights ~₹1.1 lakh + internal flights + hotels and spend ~₹3 lakh = ₹5–6.5 lakh per person.

Because the B1/B2 visa is usually valid 10 years, multiple entry, the one-time fees spread across many future trips — so the per-visit cost falls sharply if you travel again.

Currency and Payment Tips

Pay the MRV fee only through the official appointment system, and never use third-party "agents" promising guaranteed visas. For the trip, the US is overwhelmingly card-based — a low-foreign-fee card plus a forex card covers almost everything, with a little cash for tips. Budget for tipping (15–20% at restaurants) and state sales tax added at checkout, which can surprise first-time visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the FAQ section below for quick answers on the MRV fee, the Visa Integrity Fee, refunds, and visa validity. Remember that fees and the new Integrity Fee can change at short notice in 2026, so always confirm the current total on the official US Department of State site before you pay — and budget for both the application fee and the issuance fee, not just the headline number.

Sources

• US Department of State — visitor visas (B1/B2): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html
• US Travel Docs (India) — fees and appointments: https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/
• US Department of State — visa fees: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees.html

VisitPlane — visa requirements, decoded in seconds. Free, accurate, always updated. Fees and policies change; always confirm current amounts on the official US Department of State site before paying.