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How much does a US student visa actually cost me?

24 Sept 2026 · Answered by Muskan Jain · 1 min read
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A US student visa currently costs you $185 in government fees. This is separate from other costs in your application journey, such as English proficiency tests, standardised admission tests, and university application charges, so budget for the visa fee as one line item among several before you travel.

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Your US student visa fee is a fixed government charge, and it currently stands at $185. This is separate from your university application fees, test fees, and any service charges you may pay along the way, so keep it as its own line item in your budget.

Student Visa Fees Across Popular Destinations

CountryStudent Visa Fee
USA$185
UK£558
CanadaC$150
AustraliaAUD 2,500
Germany€75

Other Costs To Budget Alongside The Visa Fee

On top of this visa fee, you will typically pay for standardised tests, English proficiency exams, and university application charges as separate steps in your journey, so treat the visa fee as just one part of your total study-abroad budget.

My Advice

Keep the $185 visa fee, your test fees, and your application charges in one simple spreadsheet as you go, so nothing catches you off guard close to your visa interview date. Small fees add up quickly across a full application cycle.

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