How Much Does It Cost To Become A US Citizen?

Learn about the different financial requirements for the U.S. visa options available to foreign nationals.

Travelling to the United States for various reasons often requires obtaining a U.S. visa and understanding the application process is crucial to ensure a smooth journey.

We’ve compiled this article to help you make sense of the visa application process, including all of the costs involved to ensure effective planning.

Whether you are an individual seeking new horizons or a professional pursuing career opportunities, this guide will help you obtain your U.S. visa.

What Is a U.S. Visa?

A U.S. visa is an official, government-issued document that allows foreign nationals to enter the country for specific purposes—such as tourism, work, education, and to join family members already residing here.

These documents are distributed through United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)—the government agency in charge of immigration—to qualifying foreign nationals.

U.S. Visa Application Requirements

U.S visa requirements usually vary depending on the type of document you apply for. The most common requirements typically include:

• A passport that remains valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the U.S.
• Passport-style photos.
• An online nonimmigrant application form DS-160.
• A clean criminal record.
• Birth certificate or equivalent documents.
• Proof of financial stability or U.S. sponsorship.
• Proof of good health.
• Biometric information.
• Biographical information.

You will also need to complete various different forms, depending on the type of visa you apply for—we’ll go into more detail in the next section.

Types of U.S. Visas and Their Costs

U.S. Non-Immigrant Visas

Non-immigrant visas are temporary documents that allow a foreign national to enter the U.S. for a specific time and purpose, such as tourism, study, or work.

All foreign nationals applying for a non-immigrant visa must:

• File Form DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
• Attend an interview at their local U.S. consulate or embassy.

The USCIS requires a non-refundable processing fee for a machine-readable visa (MRV), depending on the visa classification.

This fee ranges from $160 to $190, with some variations costing up to $265.

Depending on the variant you’re applying for, you might need proof of sponsorship in the U.S. These sponsors are responsible for applying for and paying the visa fees.

Non-petition-based visas

The following visas are typically exempt from sponsorship—meaning you’ll need to cover the fees yourself and you won’t need permission to apply for documentation:

• B-1 visa is for temporary business visitors traveling to the U.S. for activities such as negotiating contracts or participating in conferences or conventions.
• B-2 visa is issued to temporary tourists or visitors for vacation or visiting relatives in the U.S.
• F-1 visa covers international students pursuing academic programs in the U.S.
• J-1 visa is designed for individuals participating in approved exchange visitor programs in the U.S.
• Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.

Cost of Non-Petition-Based Visas

The MRV fee for all non-petition-based visa applicants is $160.

F-1 nonimmigrant-visa students must pay an additional fee of $200 to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which ensures adherence to program standards throughout the duration of their stay.

Exchange students holding a J-1 visa are subject to a SEVIS fee of $180.

Petition-Based Visas

Petition-based requires the sponsorship of either a U.S. citizen or employer. They will file on behalf of the foreign national. These categories are:

• H1B, H1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and H3 visas that cover temporary or seasonal workers and trainees.
• L1 visas for multinational companies that want to transfer their employees to the U.S.
• O1, O2, and O3 visas are issued to persons of extraordinary ability and their assistants, if relevant.
• P-1, P-2, and P-3 visas encompass artists, entertainers, athletes, and coaches who are traveling to the U.S.
• Q visas are issued to individuals traveling for International Cultural Exchange purposes.
• R visas cover religious workers who are coming to the U.S. for missionary work.
• S visas are given to informants or witnesses who need to testify in the U.S. or require protection.

Petition-based visa categories require an MRV processing fee of $190, except S visas for informants or witnesses, which are $160.

L visa applicants must pay a $500 fee for fraud prevention and detection.

E-Visas

The E-1 visa is for traders, and the E-2 visa is for investors from countries with existing treaty agreements with the U.S. For a full list of these treaty countries, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website.

Australian nationals possessing professional expertise can apply for an E-3 visa.

The filing fee for initiating the E-2 application process with Form I-129—also known as a Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker—is $460.

The E-2 investor visa does not have a set minimum requirement for investment, but the recommended amount is at least $100,000.

The MRV processing and administrative fees for the E-1, E-2, and E-3 visas are $205.

K-Visas

The fiancé(e) of a U.S. citizen can obtain a K-category visa. The requisite MRV fee for a K visa application is $265.

Exemptions for Non-Immigrant U.S. Visa Fees

Applicants are not subject to MRV fees when filing for any of these kinds of temporary visas:

• A, C-2, C-3, G, and J.
• Diplomatic or NATO.
• For international staff, such as U.N. personnel.
• For U.S. government employees or the immediate family of deceased U.S. government employees traveling for funeral purposes.
• Charity reasons.
• Replacements for incorrectly-stamped visas.

U.S. Immigrant Visas

U.S. immigrant visas—commonly known as green cards—grant lawful permanent residency to a foreign national in the country.

Green cards are particularly valuable because the holder can eventually become a U.S. citizen.

All green card applicants living outside the U.S. must file Form I-485—also called an Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status—after receiving visa approval. This grants green card holders conditional permanent residency.

The immigrant visa application fee for Form I-485 is $1,140.

Refugees who submit Form I-485 typically receive a fee waiver, which means they won’t be liable for the fee.

Applicants who are 14 or younger or 79 and older receive a fee waiver for the biometrics component of the application.

Family-Based Visas

These visas within the family-based categories are for the relatives of a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

The spouse and unmarried dependent children of a green card holder or U.S. citizen can apply for a family-based visa.

Siblings, parents, married children, and widows of a U.S. citizen may also apply.

The most common family-based application forms are:

• Form I-130, Immigrant Visa Petition.
• Form I-600, Petition to Classify Orphan as an Immediate Relative.
• Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative.
• Forms I-130 and I-800 have a biometrics fee component.

Cost of Family-Based Visas

The filing fee for Form I-130 is $535. This fee is usually covered by the U.S. citizen or permanent resident applying on behalf of their foreign relative.

Filing fees for Forms I-600 and I-800 are $775. This fee will typically be paid by a U.S. citizen on behalf of their new dependent.

The processing fee for family-based immigrant visas after petition approval is $325.

The EB-1, EB-2, EB-3 and EB-4 Green Cards

The EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, and EB-4 visas—or employment-based green cards—provide opportunities for individuals with specific skills, abilities, or qualifications to obtain lawful permanent residency in the United States.

• EB-1 Visa: The EB-1 visa category is designed for individuals of extraordinary ability, outstanding professors or researchers, and multinational executives or managers. To apply for an EB-1 visa, applicants must demonstrate their abilities, receive international recognition, or provide evidence of being employed in a high-level position.
• EB-2 Visa: The EB-2 visa is for professionals with advanced degrees or individuals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business. Applicants must have a job offer from a U.S. employer and obtain a labor certification from the U.S. Department of Labor unless they can demonstrate that their entry is in the national interest of the United States.
• EB-3 Visa: The EB-3 visa category is for skilled workers, professionals, and unskilled workers. Skilled workers must have at least two years of training or experience, professionals must hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent, and unskilled workers must be capable of performing unskilled labor for which qualified workers are not available in the United States.
• EB-4 Visa: The EB-4 visa is reserved for special immigrant categories, including religious workers, certain employees of U.S. foreign service posts, and special immigrant juveniles. It also includes individuals who have been victims of crime or abuse in the United States and can provide helpful information to law enforcement.

The application filing fee for Form I-140—the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker—is currently $700.

Once Form I-140 is approved, there is an additional processing fee of $345 for employment-based visa applicants.

It’s important to note that these fees and processes are subject to change. We recommend consulting the USCIS website or seeking professional guidance for the most up-to-date information about these visas.

EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program offers a pathway for foreign nationals to obtain a permanent green card by investing in a new commercial enterprise (NCE) in the U.S.

Any active NCE must create 10 full-time jobs within the regional center over a two-year period.

National or foreign investors must remain involved in managing the NCE, and the EB-5 investment must remain at risk for two years.

The minimum direct investment for a targeted employment area (TEA) is $800,000. Non-TEA projects require a minimum investment of $1,050,000.

Investing in TEAs involves filing Form I-526 or I-526E with a fee of $3,675 for the initial visa petition. Later, you’ll also have to file Form I-829—with a fee of $3,750—to make the green card permanent.

Although it’s possible to complete this process yourself, it’s highly recommended that you make use of a professional service like EB5AN.

Working with EB5AN can provide investors with guidance, due diligence on projects, and assistance throughout the EB-5 visa application process.

It’s also much more affordable than paying the high legal fees associated with immigration lawyers.

Going from an E-2 nonimmigrant visa to an EB-5 immigrant visa

For those already on an E-2 nonimmigrant visa, it is possible to transition to an EB-5 immigrant visa by submitting a reassignment petition.

This allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. under the E-2 visa while preparing to make a larger investment for the EB-5 visa.

Your first visa petition in the EB-5 process is the Form I-526, Immigrant Petition by Standalone Investor or Form I-526E Immigrant Petition by Regional Center Investor, which has filing fees of $3,675. Through the I-526 or I-526E petition, the USCIS grants investors a two-year green card.

U.S. Diversity Visa

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes 55,000 diversity visas available to foreign nationals in a green card lottery every year. Diversity visa winners must be from a country with low rates of immigration to the U.S.

An eligible foreign national must first apply if they want to stand a chance of receiving this visa. Applications are accepted each year in November with a fee of $330.

All applicants must check the yearly drawing results online to see if they have been succesful.

U.S. Citizenship

Once a lawful permanent resident (LPR) has held a green card or immigrant visa for at least five years, they can apply for naturalization and become a U.S. citizen.

The spouse of a U.S. citizen is also eligible to apply for citizenship after three years of LPR status.

To apply, the permanent resident must file Form N-400—Application for Naturalization—with filing fees of $640.

Form N-400 applicants who are 75 years of age or older receive a fee waiver for the biometrics fee component of the application.

Foreign nationals interested in learning more about how much it costs to become US citizens are encouraged to contact EB5AN for more information on how we can help.

Reciprocity Fees

If any of the following conditions apply to you, you may need to pay reciprocity fees:

• Foreign nationals of other countries that charge U.S. citizens a fee when applying for a visa in their country.

The following individuals may be exempt from paying reciprocity fees:

• International and U.S. government staff, their spouse and children, and those applying for charity are not subject to a reciprocity fee.
• Applicants with several visa petitions may obtain a fee waiver or reduction by filing Form I-912 through HHS federal poverty guidelines. These guidelines are prepared by a government agency and show what benefits an applicant is eligible for.
• Applicants who have carried out military service for the U.S. may also be eligible for a reduced fee or waiver.

The Benefits of a U.S. Visa

Although the process can be long and challenging, there are many benefits of applying for and obtaining a U.S. visa. These include:

• Enhanced Travel Opportunities: Obtaining a U.S. visa opens up a world of travel opportunities. Whether it’s for tourism, education, or business, a U.S. visa allows individuals to explore the country’s diverse landscapes, cultural attractions, and vibrant cities.
• Educational and Professional Advancement: Many individuals seek U.S. visas to pursue higher education or career opportunities. The U.S. is home to renowned educational institutions that provide a favorable environment for professional growth and innovation. Obtaining a U.S. visa allows individuals to access top-notch educational programs, gain valuable skills, and expand their career prospects.
• Cultural Exchange and Networking: The U.S. is a melting pot of cultures and a hub for global networking. Having a U.S. visa enables individuals to engage in cultural exchange, interact with diverse communities, and build international connections.
• Economic Growth and Business Opportunities: The U.S. is one of the world’s largest economies, offering many business and investment opportunities. Individuals can explore business ventures, establish professional networks, and tap into the dynamic market by obtaining a U.S. visa.

Start Your Life In The U.S. With EB5AN

Obtaining a U.S. visa can be beneficial for many individuals in the tourism, education, business, and immigration sectors. But it can be challenging to navigate the process and become a citizen.

Networks and regional centers like EB5AN play a crucial role in helping applications become successful visa-holders in the U.S., especially through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

Through our network, we connect EB5 visa applicants with low-risk projects that will help them immigrate successfully and start their lives in the U.S.

With their U.S. visa, these applicants can explore more professional career opportunities, diversify their knowledge, and pursue their dreams.

Start your life in the U.S. without the hassle. Contact EB5AN today.