Planning a holiday, family visit, or short business trip to the United States from Dubai or Abu Dhabi or another part of the UAE?
One of the first questions travelers ask is: How much does a USA visit visa cost from the UAE?
For most travelers visiting the United States for tourism or certain short-term business purposes, the relevant visa is the B-1/B-2 visitor visa. Nevertheless, the total amount spent in the visa-applying process may exceed the visa cost. You may incur additional cost in respect of document preparation, translation, travel arrangement, professional consultancy, etc.
Expense | Cost in USD | Approximate Cost in AED |
B-1/B-2 Visa Application Fee | US$185 | AED 685 |
DS-160 Form | No separate fee | No separate fee |
Visa Interview | Included | Included |
Document Preparation | Varies | Varies |
Translation, if required | Varies | Varies |
Transportation | Varies | Varies |
Visa Consultancy | Varies | Varies |
The US$185/approximately AED 685 is the main U.S government application processing fee for a standard B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The U.S Department of State identifies this fee as non-refundable.
Does the USA Visa Cost Depend on Your Nationality?
Your UAE residency and nationality are separate factors when determining visa-related costs.
For example, a person living in Dubai may hold an Indian, Pakistani, Filipino, British, Egyptian or another passport. While the standard B-1/B-2 application fee is US$185, some nationalities may have an additional visa issuance or reciprocity fee if their nationality is subject to one.
The U.S. Department of State’s reciprocity schedule for UAE nationals currently shows no additional reciprocity fee for B-1/B-2 visas, with multiple entries and a validity period of up to 120 months. Other nationalities should be checked individually against the relevant U.S. reciprocity schedule.
Therefore, UAE residents should not assume that their total visa cost is determined solely by their UAE residence.
What Does The AED 685 USA Visa Fee Cover?
The approximately AED 685 represents the conversion of the US$185 non-immigrant visa application processing fee. It covers the processing of your visa application; it does not guarantee visa approval.
Applicants must still demonstrate that they qualify for the visitor visa. For a B-1/B-2 application, the purpose of travel, ability to cover trip expenses and circumstances indicating that the applicant intends to leave the United States after the temporary visit can all be relevant to the application.
This is why paying the visa fee should not be viewed as the final step. Preparing accurate and consistent information is equally important.
What Other Costs Should You Budget For?
Although AED 685 is the key government visa fee, your overall USA visa budget from UAE may include additional expenses.
1. Document Preparation
You may need documents including
Employment
Salary
Finances
UAE residence
Business ownership
Family circumstances and
Proposed travel plans
The cost of obtaining or preparing these documents depends on your individual situation.
2. Translation
Translation for supporting documents may also incur translation costs. This cost is dependent on the type of documents, language and the service provider.
3. Transportation
For their appointments, the applicants may need to travel to the relevant U.S Consulate in UAE to complete their visa application process. The cost of transportation will depend on your residence in the UAE.
4. Professional Visa Consultancy
The applicants who want to avail of the services for their USA visa application can opt for USA visa consultancy in UAE. Consultancy charges are separate from the U.S. government’s visa application fee and vary depending on the services provided. These may include:
- Eligibility assessment
- DS-160 application assistance
- Document checklist and review
- Application review
- Appointment guidance
- Interview preparation
- Family application coordination
- Assistance after previous visa refusals
A consultant cannot guarantee visa approval because the final decision rests with the U.S. consular officer.
How Does a Bright Star Visa Help You Get A USA Visit Visa In The UAE?
Whether you are applying from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain or any other location in UAE, Bright Star Visa, the expert visa consultant in Dubai and Abu Dhabi can help you with:
- Visa category guidance
- Eligibility and document assessment
- Personalised document checklist
- Application form assistance
- Travel itinerary guidance
- Supporting document review
- Appointment guidance
- Application submission assistance
- Pre-submission document verification
- Updates and guidance throughout the application process
- And more
Talk with an expert USA Visit Visa Consultant today!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is AED 685 the total cost of a USA visit visa?
Not necessarily. AED 685 is the approximate government application fee based on the current US$185 charge. You may also have expenses for transportation, document preparation, translation or professional visa consultancy services.
- Can a USA visa consultant in Dubai guarantee approval?
No. A legitimate visa consultant cannot guarantee approval. The final decision is made by the U.S. consular officer. A consultant can assist with application preparation, documentation and interview readiness.
- How early should I apply for a USA visit visa from Dubai?
It is recommended to start well before your planned travel date. Interview availability changes regularly, and the U.S. Department of State currently lists a significant waiting period for B-1/B-2 appointments at Abu Dhabi. New appointments can also be released, so applicants should monitor the official appointment system.
- Can you help me apply for a USA visit visa from Dubai?
Yes. A professional USA visa consultancy can assist with eligibility assessment, DS-160 preparation, document organization, application review, appointment guidance and interview preparation. The exact service and consultancy fee will depend on the applicant’s requirements.
- Is the USA Visit Visa Fee Refundable?
No. The standard US$185 (approximately AED 685) non-immigrant visa application fee is non-refundable. For this reason, it is important to review your information carefully before submitting the application.
