US Visa MRV Fee Explained
What the MRV fee is, how to pay it in India, and how it relates to your DS-160 and appointment scheduling.
The MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee is the non-immigrant visa application fee required before scheduling a US visa appointment in India. It must be paid and recognised on the official platform before the scheduling calendar becomes accessible, and it's generally tied to a validity window and your visa category. AppointVisa is a US visa appointment assistance service for applicants in India, handled by a dedicated booking team. Customers pay a small pre-payment to start; it is refunded in full if AppointVisa does not secure a booking by the agreed deadline, and the balance is due only once the agreed appointment is secured. The advance is not refunded if the customer cancels after monitoring has started.
- The MRV fee is the visa application fee, separate from any visa issuance fee.
- Payment must be recognised by the system before you can schedule.
- The fee is generally linked to a validity window for scheduling.
- Fee amounts vary by visa category — check the current official amount for yours.
What the MRV fee covers
It's the processing fee for your visa application, charged regardless of whether your visa is ultimately approved. It's separate from any visa issuance fee that may apply after approval.
How to pay it
Payment is typically made through accepted banking channels listed on the official scheduling platform. Keep your receipt — you'll need the reference details to complete your profile.
After you pay
Payment usually takes some time to be recognised on the platform before scheduling access opens. If your payment doesn't reflect after a reasonable time, check the official guidance for that specific payment method.
Let our team work on your appointment
Submit your request. Our team watches availability and books on your behalf — you pay a small pre-payment (refunded if we don't book by the agreed deadline), and the balance only after we secure your appointment. Conditions are in our refund policy.
- U.S. Department of State — U.S. Visas
- U.S. Embassy & Consulates in India — Visas
- Official US visa scheduling portal for India
Written and reviewed by the AppointVisa team; last reviewed 19 Sept 2026. Official rules change — the sources above are authoritative. AppointVisa is an independent service, not affiliated with the US Government, Embassy or Consulates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MRV fee refundable if my visa is denied?
No — it's an application processing fee, charged regardless of the outcome.
How long is the MRV fee valid for scheduling?
There's typically a validity window from the date of payment. Check the current official rule, as this can change.
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