Consular fee tables published on 5 February 2026 confirm that the U.S. Department of State will raise several non-immigrant visa (NIV) processing fees on 30 May 2026. The cost of the ubiquitous B-1/B-2 visitor visa will go from US $160 to US $185, while petition-based work visa categories—including H-1B, L-1, O, P, Q and R—will increase from US $190 to US $205. Treaty-trader/investor (E-1/E-2/E-3) visas see the steepest jump, from US $205 to US $315.
The State Department says the revisions follow an Activity-Based Costing study and are the first across-the-board NIV fee changes since 2014. Because consular operations are fee-funded, the hikes come despite broader federal budget constraints.
If navigating the new fees or locking in appointments before the 30 May change feels overwhelming, VisaHQ can help. Its user-friendly portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) gives individuals and corporate mobility teams a single place to estimate costs, complete forms and book embassy slots—making it easier to avoid surprise expenses and keep travel plans on track.
![Non-immigrant visa application fees rise May 30 — visitor visa now US $185, worker categories US $205]()
For mobility budgets the timing matters: interview appointments secured and MRV receipts paid before 30 May will be honoured at the old rates, provided applicants appear on the scheduled date. Travel managers should therefore accelerate scheduling for summer interns, rotational assignees and visiting clients who still need stamping.
Companies that cover dependants’ visas should update cost projections—especially for large family moves where multiple B-2 or L-2 visas are involved. Recruitment teams may also wish to flag the higher out-of-pocket costs to candidates who self-pay for interviews, a common practice among early-career H-1B applicants.
The fee rule does not affect issuance-reciprocity surcharges or the separate US $105 ESTA fee for Visa Waiver Program nationals.
The State Department says the revisions follow an Activity-Based Costing study and are the first across-the-board NIV fee changes since 2014. Because consular operations are fee-funded, the hikes come despite broader federal budget constraints.
If navigating the new fees or locking in appointments before the 30 May change feels overwhelming, VisaHQ can help. Its user-friendly portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-states/) gives individuals and corporate mobility teams a single place to estimate costs, complete forms and book embassy slots—making it easier to avoid surprise expenses and keep travel plans on track.
For mobility budgets the timing matters: interview appointments secured and MRV receipts paid before 30 May will be honoured at the old rates, provided applicants appear on the scheduled date. Travel managers should therefore accelerate scheduling for summer interns, rotational assignees and visiting clients who still need stamping.
Companies that cover dependants’ visas should update cost projections—especially for large family moves where multiple B-2 or L-2 visas are involved. Recruitment teams may also wish to flag the higher out-of-pocket costs to candidates who self-pay for interviews, a common practice among early-career H-1B applicants.
The fee rule does not affect issuance-reciprocity surcharges or the separate US $105 ESTA fee for Visa Waiver Program nationals.
