The United States Department of State has introduced a revised fee schedule for non-immigrant visa applications.

This update affects all U.S. embassies and consulates, including those in Abuja and Lagos, and will impact thousands of Nigerian and international applicants seeking temporary entry into the U.S.

In an official announcement, the U.S. State Department confirmed that the fee adjustments apply to a wide range of visa categories, including the commonly used B-1/B-2 visitor visas, F-1 student visas, H-1B work visas, and the K fianc?(e) visa, among others.

The updated fees must be paid at the time of application and apply to individuals travelling for purposes such as tourism, education, business, temporary employment, and cultural exchange.

Updated U.S. Visa Fees for Non-Immigrant Categories (Effective May 2025)

Below is a breakdown of the revised non-immigrant visa application fees:

Visitor Visa (Business/Tourism)

Code: B-1/B-2

Fee: $185

Purpose: For short visits, including holidays, business meetings, and family visits.

Transit Visa

Code: C-1

Fee: $185

Purpose: For travelers transiting through U.S. ports en route to another country.

Crew Member Visa

Code: D

Fee: $185

Purpose: For airline and maritime crew entering U.S. ports.

Academic Student Visa

Code: F

Fee: $185

Purpose: For students enrolling in academic programs at U.S. institutions.

Vocational Student Visa

Code: M

Fee: $185

Purpose: For students attending vocational or technical schools.

Exchange Visitor Visa

Code: J

Fee: $185

Purpose: For programs such as Fulbright and internships promoting cultural exchange.

Media and Journalist Visa

Code: I

Fee: $185

Purpose: For accredited media professionals covering news in the U.S.

Victims of Trafficking Visa

Code: T

Fee: $185

Purpose: For individuals escaping human trafficking networks.

Victims of Criminal Activity Visa

Code: U

Fee: $185

Purpose: For victims assisting U.S. law enforcement in investigations.

NAFTA Professional Worker Visa

Code: TN/TD

Fee: $185

Purpose: For professionals from Canada and Mexico under the USMCA trade agreement.

Temporary Worker Visa

Code: H

Fee: $205

Purpose: For skilled workers in fields like technology and medicine, including H-1B.

Intra-Company Transferee Visa

Code: L

Fee: $205

Purpose: For employees transferring within multinational companies.

Extraordinary Ability Visa

Code: O

Fee: $205

Purpose: For individuals with exceptional skills in the arts, sciences, or business.

Athlete/Artist/Entertainer Visa

Code: P

Fee: $205

Purpose: For top-tier entertainers and sports professionals.

Cultural Exchange Visa

Code: Q

Fee: $205

Purpose: For participants in U.S. government-designated cultural exchange programs.

Religious Worker Visa

Code: R

Fee: $205

Purpose: For clergy and religious workers from recognized organizations.

Fianc?(e) Visa

Code: K

Fee: $265

Purpose: For individuals planning to marry a U.S. citizen.

Treaty Trader/Investor Visa

Code: E-1/E-2

Fee: $315

Purpose: For individuals from treaty countries engaging in substantial trade or investment with the U.S.

Australian Specialty Occupation Visa

Code: E-3

Fee: $315

Purpose: For Australians working in specialty occupations.

Important Notes for Nigerian Applicants

These revised fees apply strictly to non-immigrant visas?temporary permits for those entering the U.S. for defined purposes such as study, tourism, business, or temporary employment. The changes do not affect immigrant visa categories, which are intended for individuals planning to live permanently in the U.S. and pursue lawful permanent residence (Green Card).

For Nigerians and other global applicants, it is now more important than ever to verify the current visa fee and payment procedures before starting an application. Applicants are advised to ensure all payments and supporting documents are accurate and up to date to avoid delays in processing. (Vanguard)

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