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Nonimmigrant Visa Stamp (US)

A consular visa foil placed in a passport, allowing a foreign national to travel to a US port of entry and request admission (B-1/B-2, F, H, L, etc.). Issued by the Department of State abroad.

Do it on the official site

US Department of State — travel.state.gov; apply at the specific US Embassy/Consulate in your country

Fees

B/F/J non-petition NIV: $185; petition-based (H/L/O/P/Q/R): $205 [confirmed]; some add reciprocity + new Visa Integrity surcharges — verify

Processing time

Highly variable by post — driven by appointment wait times (check the embassy site + travel.state.gov wait-times tool)

How long it lasts

Varies by class & country reciprocity (months to years; single vs multiple entry)

What to know first

  • A visa lets you TRAVEL to the US and request entry — it doesn't set your authorized stay (the I-94 does).
  • No 'renewal' per se — you reapply; many qualify for an interview waiver (drop-box).
  • From 2025-10-01 interview-waiver eligibility narrowed (mainly B-1/B-2/BCC & H-2A renewals within 12 months).
  • The MRV application fee is nonrefundable whether approved or refused.

How to do it

  1. 1Complete Form DS-160 online; print the confirmation page.
  2. 2Pay the MRV (visa application) fee.
  3. 3Schedule your appointment (or confirm interview-waiver/drop-box eligibility).
  4. 4Attend the interview (or submit drop-box): passport, DS-160, photo, fee receipt, category docs.
  5. 5If approved, the passport with the visa foil is returned. Renewal = same DS-160 process.

What you need to bring

  • Valid passport (typically ≥6 months beyond stay)
  • DS-160 confirmation page
  • One US-spec visa photo
  • MRV fee receipt + appointment confirmation
  • Category evidence (I-20 for F-1; approved I-797 for H/L; ties/financials for B)

In person

US Embassy / Consulate in your country (this is abroad — surface the relevant consular post)

Questions people ask

Renew without an interview?
Sometimes — mainly B-1/B-2/BCC & H-2A renewals within 12 months.
Fee refundable if denied?
No — the MRV fee is nonrefundable.
Does the visa decide how long I can stay?
No — CBP sets that on the I-94.

Documents that travel with it

Save this deadline

There is no date to remind you about yet — Dociya will hold the slot, and the reminder starts the day you add the document.

Save this deadline

Sources

  • travel.state.gov DS-160 + fees + interview-waiver update (accessed 2026-06-26)