Visa
US Visa Fee in Nigeria: A Cost Guide for Nigerian Corporate Travellers
The standard US visa application fee, known as the MRV fee, is $185 for most visa categories, including the B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa, the F-1 student visa, and the J-1 exchange visitor visa. That is the figure most Nigerian applicants budget for. It is not the total.
Starting in fiscal year 2026, the United States introduced a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee that applies to most non-immigrant visa categories. Unlike the MRV fee, which is paid before your interview, the Integrity Fee is charged at the point of visa issuance, meaning after your application has been approved. A B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa now effectively costs $435 in government fees alone if approved, comprising the $185 MRV fee plus the $250 Integrity Surcharge, payable at two different stages.
This guide gives you the complete, verified US visa fee breakdown for every major visa category available to Nigerians, the naira equivalent for each, how and where to pay from Nigeria, and the additional costs that determine what a US visa application actually costs from start to finish.
The Two Main US Visa Fees Nigerian Applicants Pay
Understanding the US visa fee structure requires separating two distinct charges that are paid at different stages of the application process.
The MRV fee is the standard visa application fee paid before your interview is scheduled. All applicants, including children, are required to pay a non-refundable MRV fee to process their visa. This fee is paid regardless of whether your visa is ultimately approved or refused. If your application is refused, the MRV fee is lost.
The Visa Integrity Fee is a newer surcharge paid only if and when your visa is approved, at the point of issuance at the US Embassy or Consulate. It is collected strictly in addition to the MRV fee, not as a replacement for it. These two fees are not alternatives. If your visa is approved, you pay both.
US Visa Fees for Nigerian Applicants: Full Breakdown (2026)
Non-Immigrant Visa MRV Fees
| Visa Type | Purpose | MRV Fee (USD) | Approx. Naira (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 | Tourism and business | $185 | N278,000 to N300,000 |
| F-1/M-1 | Academic and vocational study | $185 | N278,000 to N300,000 |
| J-1 | Exchange visitor | $185 | N278,000 to N300,000 |
| H-1B | Specialty occupation worker | $185 | N278,000 to N300,000 |
| L-1 | Intracompany transferee | $185 | N278,000 to N300,000 |
| O-1 | Extraordinary ability | $185 | N278,000 to N300,000 |
| K-1 | Fiance(e) visa | $265 | N397,000 to N430,000 |
| E visa | Treaty trader or investor | $205 | N308,000 to N333,000 |
Several categories are exempt from paying the MRV fee entirely. These include applicants for A, G, C-2, C-3, NATO and diplomatic visas, as well as US government employees travelling on official business and certain J visa holders participating in US government-sponsored exchange programmes.
The $250 Visa Integrity Fee: Who Pays and When
The United States introduced the $250 Visa Integrity Fee applying to most non-immigrant visa categories beginning in fiscal year 2025, with full implementation in fiscal year 2026. The surcharge covers a broad range of visa categories including B-1/B-2 for business and tourism, F and M for students, H-1B for skilled workers and J for exchange visitors.
Only diplomatic and international organisation visa holders under categories A and G are exempt. Most Canadian citizens, Visa Waiver Programme travellers and holders of diplomatic visas are also exempt. Nigerian applicants are not exempt.
The Visa Integrity Fee is theoretically refundable under certain conditions. The legislation states that it may be refunded if the visa holder departs the US on time and complies with all visa conditions. However, this is not an automatic refund. The refund mechanism requires post-visit compliance that cannot be confirmed until after the trip, and applicants should not build their financial planning around receiving it back.
Total Government Fees by Visa Type (MRV and Integrity Fee Combined)
| Visa Type | MRV Fee | Integrity Fee | Total Government Fees | Approx. Naira (Sep 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B-1/B-2 Tourist and Business | $185 | $250 | $435 | N652,000 to N705,000 |
| F-1 Student | $185 | $250 | $435 | N652,000 to N705,000 |
| J-1 Exchange Visitor | $185 | $250 | $435 | N652,000 to N705,000 |
| H-1B Skilled Worker | $185 | $250 | $435 | N652,000 to N705,000 |
| K-1 Fiance(e) | $265 | $250 | $515 | N772,000 to N835,000 |
Naira figures are approximate based on USD/NGN rates. Confirm the exact naira amount at the point of payment as rates change daily.
SEVIS Fee (For Student and Exchange Visitor Applicants)
Students applying on F or M visas must pay a separate SEVIS fee of $350 in addition to the MRV fee. Most J visa exchange visitors pay $220. The SEVIS fee is paid independently through the SEVIS Fee Processing system at fmjfee.com, separately from the MRV fee and separately from the Integrity Fee.
For a Nigerian student applying for an F-1 visa, the total government fees if approved, are $185 MRV plus $350 SEVIS plus $250 Integrity Fee, totalling $785. At September 2026 exchange rates, that is approximately N1,177,000 to N1,275,000 in government fees alone, before any other application costs are factored in.
Reciprocity Fee for Nigerian Applicants
The reciprocity issuance fee is an additional charge applied to citizens of certain countries after visa approval, based on what that country charges American citizens for equivalent visas. Nigerian citizens pay $0 in reciprocity fees. Unlike some nationalities that face an additional reciprocity surcharge on top of the standard fees, Nigerians are not subject to this charge. The Visa Integrity Surcharge is a separate matter and applies regardless of nationality.
What the Total Cost of a US Visa Application Looks Like for Nigerians
Here is what the full spend looks like for the three most common US visa application types from Nigeria, combining all mandatory fees and typical additional costs.
B-1/B-2 Tourist and Business Visa
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| MRV fee | $185 (approx. N282,000) |
| Visa Integrity Fee (at issuance if approved) | $250 (approx. N380,000) |
| DS-160 application form | Free |
| Passport photograph | N2,000 to N5,000 |
| Transport to Embassy in Lagos or Abuja | N5,000 to N30,000 |
| Estimated Total if Approved | N669,000 to N697,000 |
F-1 Student Visa
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| MRV fee | $185 (approx. N282,000) |
| SEVIS fee | $350 (approx. N533,000) |
| Visa Integrity Fee (at issuance if approved) | $250 (approx. N380,000) |
| Medical examination if required | N195,000 to N390,000 |
| Estimated Total if Approved | N1,390,000 to N1,585,000 |
H-1B Skilled Worker Visa
| Cost Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| MRV fee | $185 (approx. N282,000) |
| Visa Integrity Fee (at issuance if approved) | $250 (approx. N380,000) |
| Premium processing optional, Form I-129 | $2,805 (approx. N4,268,000) |
| Estimated Total Without Premium Processing | N662,000 to N700,000 |
How to Pay the US Visa MRV Fee from Nigeria
All nonimmigrant visa applicants in Nigeria must pay their MRV fee in cash at any GTBank branch. GTBank is the sole authorised MRV fee collection bank for Nigerian applicants. The process works as follows.
Step 1: Visit any GTBank branch in Nigeria. Confirm that the branch processes US visa fee payments before joining any queue.
Step 2: Collect the US visa fee collection slip from the teller or cashier. This slip is specific to US visa fee payments and must be completed in full.
Step 3: Write your full name, phone number, and the exact fee amount on the slip. Banks sometimes charge a small processing fee of $2 to $5 on top of the visa fee amount. Confirm the exact naira equivalent with the teller on the day of payment as the rate is set daily.
Step 4: Complete the payment and collect your MRV fee receipt. This receipt carries a unique reference number that you will need to schedule your visa interview appointment online.
Step 5: The reference number on your MRV receipt is confidential and should not be shared with anyone. Applicants must ensure that the receipt they schedule with matches the receipt on their appointment confirmation letter. If there is a mismatch, you will be turned back on your interview day.
Step 6: Go to ustraveldocs.com/ng and create or log into your profile to schedule your visa interview using the reference number from your MRV receipt.
The MRV fee receipt is valid for one year from the date of payment. You must schedule and attend your visa interview within that period. If the receipt expires before your interview, you must pay the full fee again. The receipt cannot be transferred, shared or extended under any circumstances.
US Visa Interview Wait Times in Nigeria
In Nigeria, there are two US visa interview locations: the US Embassy in Abuja and the US Consulate General in Lagos. If you do not live near either location, budget for travel and possibly an overnight stay, as interviews are typically scheduled in the morning.
US visa interview wait times in Nigeria are among the longest globally for the B-1/B-2 category. In 2026, wait times for a B-1/B-2 interview appointment at both locations have ranged from several weeks to several months depending on the period and application volume. Check the current wait time at ustraveldocs.com/ng before planning your travel dates. Apply as early as possible, particularly if your trip has a fixed date.
A significant new development affecting Nigerian applicants is the US Department of State transition to Visa Processing Hubs in Africa, announced on 3 June 2026. This transition may affect which consular location processes which visa categories and could impact appointment availability at Lagos and Abuja. Monitor the US Embassy Nigeria website at ng.usembassy.gov for current information on interview locations and scheduling before booking your appointment.
What the MRV Fee Receipt Does and Does Not Guarantee
Paying the MRV fee does not guarantee you an interview. Attending an interview does not guarantee a visa. If your visa application is refused, you lose the MRV fee. If your visa is approved, the Integrity Surcharge is charged at the point of issuance.
The MRV fee receipt is non-refundable and non-transferable. It must be used by the person who paid it. If your interview is cancelled and you cannot reschedule within one year of the payment date, you must pay the full fee again from the beginning.
US Visa for Nigerian Business Travellers and Corporate Teams
Nigerian executives travelling to the US for business meetings, conferences, trade shows and commercial negotiations apply for the B-1/B-2 visa, which covers both business and tourism purposes under a single category. The B-1 component covers business activities such as meetings, negotiations, and training. The B-2 component covers tourism and family visits. Most Nigerian applicants receive a combined B-1/B-2 visa that covers both purposes.
For corporate travel managers, there are three planning considerations that the new fee structure introduces. First, the $250 Integrity Surcharge must now be built into every individual travel budget for US-bound trips. For a company sending five employees to a US conference, the Integrity Fee alone adds $1,250 to the travel budget for that single trip, on top of the $925 in MRV fees for the group.
Second, the MRV fee is paid at GTBank before the interview, while the Integrity Fee is paid at the Embassy after approval. These are two separate payment events that must both be planned for in the company travel budget and reconciliation process.
Third, the long interview wait times in Nigeria mean that US travel planning must begin significantly earlier than for UK, Dubai or Schengen destinations. A business trip planned for December needs a visa application process that starts no later than August or September. For organisations with multiple employees travelling to the US at different times, staggering applications and monitoring wait times at ustraveldocs.com/ng is essential.
The non-refundable fee structure also means that a refused application is a direct financial loss for the company. For the B-1/B-2 category, the MRV fee alone lost on a refused application is N282,000 per employee. Document preparation quality directly determines whether that money is well spent or lost.
Clooper manages US visa applications for Nigerian corporate travellers, preparing each file against the specific requirements of the US Embassy, coordinating GTBank payment, scheduling interview appointments and tracking applications through to approval alongside the full trip management workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the US visa fee in Nigeria in 2026?
The standard MRV fee is $185 for most visa categories, including B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas, F-1 student visas and J-1 exchange visitor visas. From fiscal year 2026, a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee is also charged at the point of visa issuance for most non-immigrant categories. The combined government fee for a B-1/B-2 visa if approved, is $435, approximately N652,000 to N705,000 at September 2026 exchange rates.
What is the Visa Integrity Fee and does it apply to Nigerians?
The $250 Visa Integrity Fee applies to most non-immigrant visa categories from fiscal year 2025, including B-1/B-2 for business and tourism, F and M for students, H-1B for skilled workers, and J for exchange visitors. It applies to all nationalities, including Nigerians. It is collected at the time of visa issuance after the visa has been approved, not at the start of the application.
Where do Nigerians pay the US visa MRV fee?
All nonimmigrant visa applicants in Nigeria must pay their MRV fee in cash at any GTBank branch. GTBank is the sole authorised payment bank for US visa fees in Nigeria. Payment is made using the US visa fee collection slip available at the bank. An online payment option is also available through the ustraveldocs.com portal.
Is the US visa fee refundable if my application is refused?
No. The MRV fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome of your application. The Visa Integrity Fee is theoretically refundable if the visa holder departs the US on time and complies with all visa conditions, but this is not an automatic refund and requires post-visit compliance to claim.
Do Nigerians pay a reciprocity fee for US visas?
No. Nigerian citizens pay $0 in reciprocity fees. Unlike some nationalities that face an additional reciprocity surcharge after visa approval, Nigerian applicants are not subject to this charge. The Visa Integrity Surcharge is a separate and unrelated fee that does apply.
How much is the SEVIS fee for Nigerian students applying for a US visa?
Students applying on F or M visas must pay a separate SEVIS fee of $350. Most J visa exchange visitors pay $220. This is in addition to the $185 MRV fee and the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. Total government fees for an F-1 student visa application from Nigeria, if approved, are $785, approximately N1,177,000 to N1,275,000 at September 2026 exchange rates.
Conclusion
The US visa fee in Nigeria in 2026 is not a single number. It is a layered structure of mandatory charges paid at different stages of the application process. The $185 MRV fee is paid before your interview at GTBank. The $250 Visa Integrity Surcharge is paid after approval at the Embassy. Student applicants pay an additional $350 SEVIS fee on top of both. For a Nigerian student whose F-1 visa is approved, the total government fees alone are $785, approximately N1.3 million before any other costs are factored in.
For Nigerian business travellers and corporate travel teams, understanding this structure before the budget is set is essential. The Integrity Surcharge is not optional. It is not waivable. And it is charged after approval, meaning it appears at the end of a process that has already taken months of waiting. Building it into travel budgets from the outset avoids the kind of last-minute surprise that disrupts both the individual traveller and the finance team reconciling the trip.
Clooper manages US visa applications for Nigerian corporate travel teams, handling document preparation, GTBank payment coordination and interview scheduling alongside the full trip management workflow. If your organisation sends employees to the US regularly, speak with a Clooper visa specialist today.
Let Clooper Handle Your US Visa Application
From MRV fee payment coordination to document preparation and interview scheduling, Clooper manages the full US visa process for Nigerian business travellers and corporate teams. Visit clooper.com to get started.
