This guide is based on the official pages listed at the end, checked on 2026-10-09. The tables and worksheets are VisaPilot preparation tools, not a government mandatory checklist.
Visa application fees
| Amount (USD) | Visa classes |
|---|---|
| 185 | B business or tourist, C-1 transit, D crew, F and M students, I media, J exchange visitors, TN/TD |
| 205 | Petition-based work classes: H, L, O, P, Q, R |
| 315 | E treaty trader or investor, E-3 Australian professional specialty |
| 265 | K fiance(e) or spouse of a US citizen |
The fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and is paid whether or not a visa is issued. Children pay it too. Fees are listed in US dollars and may be paid in local currency or dollars depending on the payment option.
Other costs that may apply
- Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee: some nationalities pay it after approval, depending on nationality and visa class. Australian citizens pay no issuance fee for a B visa. Other nationalities should check the Department of State reciprocity schedule.
- SEVIS fee: paid separately by F, M and J applicants; US$350 for students with Form I-20.
- A second application fee, when applying for two visas, is paid at the consulate on the interview day.
- Missed appointments: reschedules, cancellations, no-shows and being turned away for an incomplete application are limited to two in total, after which a new application fee is required.
How long is the appointment wait
No fixed number of days is published. Applicants are encouraged to apply at least three months before travel, and earlier booking makes the preferred date more likely.
Two places show the live position: the Department of State Global Visa Wait Times page and the dates offered in the scheduling system. Published wait times exclude administrative processing and the time to return your passport.
Schedule the interview at the embassy or consulate in your country of nationality or residence.
When an expedited appointment is possible
| Reason | Evidence required |
|---|---|
| Urgent medical care for you or your minor child | A local doctor's letter, a letter from the US physician or hospital with the cost, and evidence of how you will pay |
| Death, grave illness or life-threatening accident of an immediate relative in the United States | A letter from the US doctor or the funeral director, and evidence of the relationship |
| Urgent business that could not be predicted | An invitation from the US company explaining the urgency and the significant loss it would suffer |
| Students or exchange visitors starting within 14 days | Original Form I-20 or DS-2019 showing the start date, and evidence of the SEVIS fee |
The order is fixed: submit the DS-160, pay the fee and book the first available regular appointment. Only then can you submit an emergency request with evidence in the scheduling system and wait for the consulate's email.
Tourism, weddings, graduation ceremonies, assisting pregnant relatives and annual conferences do not qualify. If the interview shows the urgency was misrepresented, that is noted on the file and may affect the outcome.
After the interview: getting your passport back
Once processing is complete the passport is returned by the delivery option you selected, with tracking available within 48 hours of issuance. Neither issuance nor a processing time is guaranteed.
Cases needing administrative processing take longer. Most administrative processing is resolved within 180 days of the interview, and timing varies by case.
A B1/B2 renewal may qualify for interview waiver when the earlier visa is still valid or expired within the past 12 months, you were at least 18 when it was issued, you apply in your consular district of residence, all ten fingerprints were taken last time, and the visa was not revoked and you have no refusal that was not overcome. Eligibility does not guarantee issuance.
Common questions
Is the US visa fee refunded after a refusal?
No. The application fee is non-refundable and non-transferable and is paid whether or not a visa is issued.
Can I expedite an appointment for tourism?
No. Tourism, weddings and graduation ceremonies do not qualify for expedited appointments. Book a regular appointment well in advance.
How long does a US visa take after the interview?
No processing time is guaranteed. The passport is returned once processing is complete; where administrative processing is needed, most cases are resolved within 180 days.
How many times can I reschedule?
In Australia, reschedules, cancellations, no-shows and being turned away are limited to two in total. After that you pay another application fee.
Official sources and check dates
- USTravelDocs Australia: Pay your visa fees · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Schedule your appointment · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Expedited appointment · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Application refused under INA 221(g) · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Renew my visa / Waive my interview · 2026-10-09
- USTravelDocs Australia: Frequently asked questions · 2026-10-09
Official instructions take priority. Local procedures quoted here come from the official visa information service for Australia; if you apply elsewhere, check the page for your own country. This guide does not assess eligibility or predict a decision.
Next step: check your own documents
List the documents you actually hold and the questions still open, then request a free human check.