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How to apply for or renew a U.S. tourist visa
If you visit the U.S. for tourism or business, you may need a visitor visa, also known as a tourist visa. Learn how to get and renew this type of nonimmigrant visa.
Find out if you need a visa to visit the U.S.
Check if your country participates in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) . If it does, you can get a waiver and will not need a visa. If you do not see your country listed, you will need a visitor visa.
If you qualify for a waiver, you will still need to get approval to travel to the U.S. through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Learn about ESTA and how to apply.
Visitor (tourist) visas and other travel documents for entering the U.S.
The visitor visa is a type of nonimmigrant visa for people who wish to temporarily enter the U.S. There are two categories:
- B-1 for business travel
- B-2 for tourism and medical treatment
Learn about B-1 and B-2 visas , including:
- Reasons you would need each type of visitor visa
- How to apply using Form DS-160
- What documents you will need
- Application fees
- How to prepare for your interview at your U.S. embassy or consulate
Along with your visa, you must bring a passport issued by your country of citizenship. When you arrive at your port of entry into the U.S., officials will issue you a Form I-94, which electronically records your arrival and departure dates. Learn more about Form I-94.
How to renew a visitor visa
The process to renew a visitor visa is the same as getting one for the first time. Follow the process to apply for a visitor visa from the Department of State.
Find the contact information for your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate and get information about visa renewals, including:
- Processing times
- Your eligibility for an interview waiver
Understand expiration dates for visas and I-94 forms
- The date you must depart the U.S. will be shown on your Form I-94. This date is determined by the Customs and Border Protection officer when you arrive at the port-of-entry into the U.S.
- Only diplomatic visa holders and their dependents can renew their visas while they are in the U.S.
LAST UPDATED: November 5, 2024
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DS-260 Immigrant Visa Electronic Application - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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What is a U.S. Visa?
About Visas - The Basics
Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé(e)s and Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents
Your Rights and Protections
Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws
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Advisory Opinions
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Fees and Reciprocity Tables
Temporary Reciprocity Schedule
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Safety & Security of U.S. Borders: Biometrics
National Visa Center Customer Service Pledge
Americans Traveling Abroad
The United States and China Agree to Extending Visas for Short-term Business Travelers, Tourists, and Students
Special Visa Processing Procedures Pursuant to Section 306
Capitalizing on Visa Demand to Spur Economic Growth in the United States
Congressional Testimony
Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CRFP) Program Appointments
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Coming to the United States Temporarily - Nonimmigrant Visa Services Coming to the United States Permanently - Immigrant Services Special Visa Services
This webpage lists visa application fees and other visa related fees collected by Department of State. Note that many immigration-related forms are submitted to the Department of Homeland Security’s United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and not to the Department of State. If the type of information or form you are seeking is not shown here, select USCIS Forms and Fees to go to the USCIS Website to review more.
Coming to the United States Temporarily - Nonimmigrant Visa Services
Nonimmigrant visa application processing fees are tiered, as shown below, based on the visa category for which you are applying.
Notice: Every visa applicant must pay the visa application processing fee for the visa category being applied for, unless the application fee is not required, as listed below .
Description of Service and Fee Amount (All fees = $ in US currency)
Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee (non-refundable) for all categories below
- Non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa (except E): $185.00
Includes (but not limited to), the following visa categories:
*Though petition-based nonimmigrant visas, the processing fee for these visas is $185.00
- Petition based visa categories: $205.00
Includes these visa categories:
- E - Treaty Trader/Investor, Australian Professional Specialty category visa: $315.00
- K – Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa: $265.00
Border crossing card fees
- Border crossing card - age 15 and over (Valid 10 years): $185.00
- Border crossing card - under age 15; for Mexican citizens if parent or guardian has or is applying for a border crossing card (valid 10 years or until the applicant reaches age 15, whichever is sooner): $15.00
- L visa fraud prevention and detection fee - for visa applicant included in L blanket petition (principal applicant only): $500.00
- The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-113) increases fees for certain H-1B and L-1 petitioners. Consular sections collect this fee for blanket L-1 visa applications (principal applicant only) filed by petitioners who employ 50 or more individuals in the United States if more than 50 percent of those individuals are in H-1B or L-1 nonimmigrant status: $4,500.00
When the nonimmigrant visa application processing fee is not required:
- Applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO, and diplomatic visas (defined in 22 CFR 41.26): No Fee
- Applicants for J visas participating in official U.S. Government-sponsored educational and cultural exchanges: No Fee (See Exchange Visitor Visas for further detailed fee information.)
- Replacement of machine-readable visa when the original visa was not properly affixed or needs to be reissued through no fault of the applicant: No Fee
- Applicants exempted by international agreement as determined by Visa Services, including members and staff of an observer mission to United Nations Headquarters recognized by the UN General Assembly, and their immediate families: No Fee
- Applicants travelling to provide charitable services as determined by Visa Services: No Fee
- U.S. government employees travelling on official business: No Fee
- A parent, sibling, spouse or child of a U.S. government employee killed in the line of duty who is traveling to attend the employee’s funeral and/or burial; or a parent, sibling, spouse, son or daughter of a U.S. government employee critically injured in the line of duty for visitation during emergency treatment and convalescence: No Fee
Nonimmigrant visa issuance fee, including border-crossing cards.
- See the Visa Reciprocity Tables to find out the visa issuance fee amount, if applicable: Fee varies (Reciprocal)
When the nonimmigrant visa issuance fee is not required:
- An official representative of a foreign government or an international or regional organization of which the United States is a member; members and staff of an observer mission to United Nations Headquarters recognized by the UN General Assembly; and applicants for diplomatic visas as defined under item 22(a); and their immediate families: No Fee
- An applicant transiting to and from the United Nations Headquarters: No Fee
- An applicant participating in a U.S. government sponsored program which may include applicant’s dependent spouse and children: No Fee
- An applicant travelling to provide charitable services as determined by Visa Services: No Fee
Other - When a Visa is Not Required - Visa Waiver Program
- Citizens of Visa Waiver Program participating countries, and meeting requirements pay a small fee. Select USCIS fees to learn more.
Coming to the United States Permanently - Immigrant Services
Immigrant visa application processing fees are tiered, as shown below, based on the visa category you apply for.
Notice: Every visa applicant must pay the visa application processing fee for the visa category being applied for.
Filing an Immigrant Visa Petition (When collected by U.S. Embassies and Consulates for USCIS. Fees subject to change.)
Immigrant Visa Application Processing Fees (non-refundable, per person)
Note: Forms and fee amounts are listed for immigration petitions which are submitted to Department of State, either accepted at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, or within the United States to the National Visa Center or Kentucky Consular Center. Other immigration related forms can only be approved by the Department of Homeland Security's United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). For other fees (relating to forms starting with an "I" select USCIS Forms and Fees for additional information.
Special Visa Services
Note: These fee charts are based on the Code of Federal Regulations - Title 22, Part 22, Sections 22.1 through 22.7.)
More Information
A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Diversity Visa Program Visa Waiver Program Fraud Warning Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Straight Facts on U.S. Visas
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