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

Overview

The United States is a top destination for Pakistani 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 mean the real total is higher than many expect.

This guide breaks down exactly what a Pakistani 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 PKR 58,000) 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 PKR 128,000) 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 PKR 58,000, though the exact amount depends on the exchange rate when 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 newly introduced, 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 PKR 128,000) for a successful applicant.

The Full Cost Breakdown

A realistic Pakistani applicant's budget includes:

• MRV application fee: US$205 (~PKR 58,000).
• Visa Integrity Fee: US$250 on issuance (~PKR 70,000), where applicable.
• Photographs and document prep: minimal.
• Travel to the consulate in Islamabad or Karachi for the interview.
• Travel insurance: PKR 5,000–15,000 (recommended, not mandatory).

The all-in government cost is therefore roughly PKR 128,000+ for most successful B1/B2 applicants in 2026.

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 (Pakistan–US): roughly PKR 350,000–650,000 depending on season and routing.
• Accommodation: PKR 30,000–70,000 per night in major US cities (or stay with family).
• Daily spend (food, transport, attractions): PKR 18,000–40,000 per person.
• Internal travel: domestic US flights or car rental for longer trips.

A typical 2-week US trip can land around PKR 10–18 lakh per person, with long-haul flights the biggest factor.

Ways to Keep the Cost Down

• Apply early to avoid paying for expedited appointments.
• Stay with family where possible.
• Travel off-peak to cut flight and hotel costs.
• Book refundable flights/hotels until the visa is in hand.

How the US Compares

For Pakistani travellers, the US is now among the more expensive visitor visas once the Integrity Fee is included — well above the Schengen €90 (~PKR 28,000) and the UK's £135 (~PKR 50,000). However, US visitor visas are often issued for multiple 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 Pakistan (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, Document Checklist, and our interview prep tool to prepare.

What's Refundable — and What Isn't

The MRV application fee is non-refundable, whether you're approved, refused, or don't attend the interview. The Visa Integrity Fee, where it applies, is charged at issuance — check official guidance on any reimbursement conditions, as the rules around this 2026 fee are still settling. Either way, treat the government fees as sunk costs once paid, and only book non-refundable travel after the visa is in your passport.

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 Pakistani travellers heading to the US, where the consular interview is central.

Start with your finances. 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, and in the interview you should answer concisely and truthfully — contradictions invite doubt. Because the visitor visa turns on intent, ties to Pakistan matter enormously: stable employment, a business, property, or dependents reassure the officer you'll return.

Finally, be honest and complete — declare any previous refusal truthfully, and never use unofficial agents promising guaranteed approvals. Prepare with 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.

Hidden Costs People Forget

Beyond the MRV and Integrity fees, several smaller costs catch Pakistani applicants out. Travel to the consulate in Islamabad or Karachi for the interview — often with an overnight stay — is a real expense for those living elsewhere. Photographs to US specifications, document printing, and any translation or attestation add up. If interview slots are scarce, some applicants weigh expedited-appointment options, which carry their own conditions. And once approved, forex spreads on converting rupees for the trip quietly reduce your budget. Counting these alongside the headline fees gives a realistic total, rather than a nasty surprise when you add everything up just before travel.

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.
• Forgetting travel and accommodation costs to reach the consulate.
• A weak interview that undermines an otherwise strong file.

Sample Budgets

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

• Family visit (2 weeks, staying with relatives): government fees ~PKR 128,000 + flights ~PKR 450,000 + daily spend ~PKR 250,000 = roughly PKR 8–9 lakh per person.
• Tourist trip (3 weeks, hotels, two regions): government fees ~PKR 128,000 + flights ~PKR 550,000 + internal flights + hotels and spend ~PKR 12 lakh = PKR 18–20 lakh per person.

Because the B1/B2 visa is often valid for multiple years, multiple entry, the one-time fees spread across future trips — so the per-visit cost falls sharply if you travel again. For a family applying together, remember that each member pays the full MRV and issuance fees, so a family of four faces roughly four times the per-person government cost; budget for that upfront rather than being surprised at the payment stage.

Currency and Payment Tips

Pay the MRV fee only through the official appointment system, never through third-party "agents." For the trip, the US is overwhelmingly card-based — a low-foreign-fee card plus a travel 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 surprises many first-time visitors. Watch the USD/PKR rate when paying, since the rupee cost of the fees moves with it.

Frequently Asked Questions

See the FAQ section below for quick answers on the MRV fee, the Visa Integrity Fee, refunds, and visa validity. The short version: budget for both the $205 application fee and the new $250 issuance fee (about PKR 128,000 together), prepare a strong financial and ties case, and ace the interview — and remember that a multi-year, multiple-entry visa spreads these costs across many future trips, lowering the effective per-visit cost.

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 (Pakistan): https://www.ustraveldocs.com/pk/
• 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.