Do I have to pay an extra fee for the OFC appointment on my F-1 visa?
There is generally no separate fee just for the OFC appointment, because biometrics form part of the overall US visa application. For an F-1 student visa you pay the applicable MRV fee, estimated at USD 185. Check your appointment instructions for any extra charge.
You generally do not pay a separate fee only for the OFC appointment. The biometric step is part of the overall visa process, and what you pay is the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee for your category, estimated at USD 185 (approx INR 17,830) for an F-1 student visa.
Estimated MRV Fee by Visa Category
| Visa category | Estimated MRV fee (USD and INR) |
|---|---|
| B1/B2 (tourist or business) | 185 (approx INR 17,830) |
| F-1/M-1/J-1 (student or exchange) | 185 (approx INR 17,830) |
| H-1B/L-1 (temporary work) | 205 (approx INR 19,758) |
| E (trader or investor) | 315 (approx INR 30,360) |
Avoiding Surprise Charges
Do not assume an extra biometric fee applies unless your own appointment instructions mention one. The figures above are estimates, so confirm the current amount on the official application page before paying.
My Advice
Pay the fee only through the official channel shown in your application and keep the receipt handy. If a payment request looks different from your instructions, pause and verify it before paying.
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