Moving to the United States for work in 2026 is more than just a career milestone—it’s a significant financial investment. With the recent enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and the USCIS Stabilization Act, the fee landscape has shifted dramatically. From the controversial new “Visa Integrity Fee” to the biennial inflation hike in premium processing, knowing exactly what you’ll owe at the consulate is critical to avoiding delays.
This guide breaks down every dollar you need to account for, including the newest surcharges and country-specific reciprocity costs.
2026 Nonimmigrant Visa (MRV) Fees (NLP Entities)
The Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee is the main fee you pay to the Department of State. This fee is for your visa application. It covers the interview and visa stamping at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The petition (like Form I-129) is handled by USCIS first. But the MRV fee is paid when you apply for the interview.
- Work Visa Application Fee ($205): This is the standard fee for most work visas. It applies to H visas (like H-1B), L visas (like L-1), O visas, P visas, Q visas, and R visas. You pay this amount for petition-based work categories.
- Treaty Trader/Investor Fee ($315): This higher fee is for E visas. It includes E-1 (treaty trader), E-2 (treaty investor), and E-3 (Australian specialty workers).
- $250 Visa Integrity Fee: This is a new fee from the OBBBA. It started for many nonimmigrant visas in fiscal year 2026. You must pay this $250 when your visa is issued at the consulate. It is mandatory and cannot be waived for most cases. This fee helps with visa rules and security.Expert Note: Some information says this fee may be refundable. You can get it back if you leave the U.S. on time and follow all rules. You must depart within five days after your authorized stay ends (your I-94 expiration). But you pay it first when you get the visa. Keep all receipts. If you stay longer, even in a grace period, you may lose the refund. Always check the latest rules.
- Border Crossing Card ($185): This is for Mexican citizens aged 15 and older. It is a special card for border travel.
These fees are non-refundable in most cases. Even if your visa is denied, you do not get the MRV fee back.
Premium Processing & Expedited Terms (LSI Keywords)
Many people do not want to wait long for petition approval from USCIS. Premium processing makes it faster. The employer usually pays this. It helps move your case to the consular interview stage quicker.
- March 1 Premium Processing Hike ($2,965): From March 1, 2026, the fee for Form I-907 went up. It was $2,805 before. Now it is $2,965 for many petitions like H-1B, L-1, and O-1. This change is because of inflation. USCIS adjusts fees every two years or so.
- 15 Business Day Guarantee: When you pay the premium fee, USCIS promises a decision in 15 business days. If they do not meet this time, they refund the premium fee. But your case still gets processed faster.
- SEVIS I-901 Fee ($350): This fee is for some J-1 exchange visitors, like trainees or interns. It is not just for students. You must pay this before your consulate interview. You get a receipt, and you need to show it.
Premium processing is optional. But it is very helpful if your job start date is soon or if there are delays.
Reciprocity & Issuance Surcharges (Semantic Intent)
After you pay the MRV fee and Visa Integrity Fee, some people pay more. These are called reciprocity fees or issuance fees. The U.S. does this because some countries charge Americans high fees for visas. So the U.S. charges their citizens the same.
The reciprocity fee depends on your country and visa type. It is paid after your visa is approved, often at the consulate.
Here are some examples for 2026:
- H-1B: For India or China, usually $0. For Mexico, it can be around $237 in some cases.
- L-1 (Blanket): Many nationalities pay $500 as a fraud prevention fee.
- L-1A/L-1B for Australia: Can be $1,695 or more.
- Large H-1B Dependent Firms: $4,500 under Public Law 114-113. This applies if your employer has 50 or more U.S. employees and more than 50% are on H-1B or L-1 visas.
- Blanket L-1 Fraud Fee ($500): For blanket L petitions from big companies. You pay this at the consulate during your interview. It is not paid to USCIS.
Check the U.S. Department of State’s reciprocity table for your country. Fees can change, so look at the official site.
2026 Budgeting & Filing Deadlines
Plan your payments carefully. Timing can save money or avoid rejection.
- The March 1 Postmark Rule: If you send Form I-907 on or after March 1, 2026, you must use the new $2,965 fee. If you send the old $2,805, USCIS will reject your filing.
- I-94 Fee ($24): This is for your arrival/departure record. It went up from $6 to $24 in 2026. You pay this if you enter by land or need a digital I-94.
- Form G-1450 & Credit Card Limits: Total fees can be over $5,000 (petition + premium + consular). Some banks think it is fraud. Use Form G-1450 to pay with more than one card.
Tip for 2026 Consular Filings: Save all receipts for the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. The refund process is strict. The 30-day grace period for some visas like J-1 or H-1B does not help with the refund. You must leave within five days of I-94 end. If you stay longer, no refund.
Total costs can add up fast. For example, an H-1B with premium processing and some reciprocity can cost thousands. Plan early and check official sites like travel.state.gov or uscis.gov.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. Readers are advised to verify details from trusted sources, such as travel.state.gov or their legal counsel, before making visa payment decisions.