Types of US Visas It's important to be aware that there are several US visas available, and that the type of visa you apply for will have a big impact on the expenses you'll pay. The most typical categories are:
Tourist Visa (B1/B2): This visa is intended for those coming to the US for vacation, family visits, or medical care.
Student Visa (F1/M1): You will require either an M1 visa for vocational programs or an F1 visa for academic studies if you intend to study in the US.
Work Visa (H1B, L1, etc.): If you're moving to the US in order to work there, you must apply for a certain type of work visa based on the category of your intended employment.
Immigrant Visa: This visa category is for people who want to live permanently in the US through job, family sponsorship, or some other arrangement.
Depending on the category you fit into, the cost of your US visa will vary.
- Non-Immigrant Visa Fees
- Non-immigrant visas, particularly the B1/B2 tourist visa, will be the main concern for the majority of Nigerian applicants. The following were the non-immigrant visa fees for the B1/B2 category as of my most recent knowledge update in September 2021:
Non-refundable Visa Application Fee (MRV): $160
Visa Issuance Fee: Typically, this fee is waived for Nigerian citizens.
However, these costs are subject to change, so it's important to verify the most recent information on the official website of the US Department of State, the website of the US Embassy in Nigeria, or to get in touch with them personally.
In addition to these regular fees, your visa application may also incur the following expenses:1. DS-160 Visa Application Form: You must complete the online DS-160 form before going to your visa interview. There isn't a price up front, but you could have to pay more if you need to submit supporting materials like passport-sized photos.
2. Visa Interview Preparation: It's a good idea to study up for your immigration interview. This could entail lodging costs, travel costs to the embassy or a nearby city, and transit costs.
3. Supporting Documents: You'll need to produce a variety of documents, depending on your visa category. Students, for instance, will need an I-20 form, and employees would need a job offer letter. There may be fees associated with these documents, such as application fees for colleges or legal fees for employment documents.
4. Medical Examination: Some visa categories, particularly immigrant visas, might need for a checkup from a doctor on a pre-approved panel. The cost of this test will differ.
Additional Fees for Certain Visa Categories
There can be additional fees to take into account if you're applying for a certain kind of visa, such a work visa. For instance, there may be fees associated with the Labor Condition Application (LCA) and, in some situations, the Premium Processing fee for the H1B visa for skilled workers.
There are several various fees associated with immigrant visas, such as the filing fee for visa petitions and the processing charge for visas. These can add up to a significant sum.
Currency Exchange and Processing Fees
It's crucial to remember that all fees are typically due in US dollars. This means that while making these payments, you'll need to take into account foreign conversion rates as well as any possible costs levied by your bank or the payment provider you use. Since currency rates might change, it's advisable to keep track of them and make your payments at a good rate.
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