NVC Fees in 2026
Before you can submit a single document to NVC, you need to pay the required fees. Here's exactly what NVC charges in 2026, who pays what, and how the payment process works.
One of the first things you need to do after receiving your NVC welcome letter is pay the required fees. Without fee payment, the CEAC portal will not open the document submission sections — and your case cannot move forward.
This guide covers every fee you'll encounter at the NVC stage of consular processing in 2026, who is responsible for paying each one, how to make the payment, and what to do if something goes wrong.
The Two Core NVC Fees
There are two fees that virtually every immigrant visa case must pay at NVC before document submission is unlocked:
1. Immigrant Visa (IV) Application Fee — $325 per person
This fee covers the processing of the immigrant visa application for each intending immigrant. If multiple family members are immigrating together (for example, a spouse and two children), the $325 fee applies to each person seeking an immigrant visa.
Who pays: The petitioner or the applicant, depending on family arrangement — paid through the CEAC portal.
2. Affidavit of Support (AOS) Fee — $120
This fee covers the processing of the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support submitted by the financial sponsor. There is one AOS fee per case, regardless of how many applicants are included.
Who pays: The petitioner (the U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who is the sponsor).
Total NVC Fees for a Single Applicant (2026)
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Immigrant Visa Application Fee (1 applicant) | $325 |
| Affidavit of Support Fee | $120 |
| Total for one applicant | $445 |
For a family of three immigrants:
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| IV Fee x 3 applicants | $975 |
| Affidavit of Support Fee (1 per case) | $120 |
| Total for three applicants | $1,095 |
Are There Other Fees at the NVC Stage?
The $325 IV fee and $120 AOS fee are the only fees paid directly to NVC through the CEAC portal. However, other costs in the overall journey include:
Medical examination fee: Required before the visa interview, conducted by a USCIS-designated panel physician. Typically ranges from $200–$500+ per person, paid directly to the physician.
Document costs: Certified copies of civil documents, certified translations, and police certificates all have costs that vary by country and provider.
Attorney fees: If you work with an immigration attorney, their professional fees are separate from all government fees.
Courier/postal fees: International document delivery costs add up.
When Are NVC Fees Due?
NVC fees become payable after you receive your NVC welcome letter with your case number and Invoice ID Number (IIN). You cannot pay before you have these two pieces of information.
There is no hard deadline, but since every week without payment is a week your case isn't progressing, it's best to pay as soon as possible after receiving your welcome letter.
How to Pay NVC Fees
All NVC fees are paid through the CEAC portal at ceac.state.gov:
Step 1: Log into the CEAC portal Use your NVC case number and IIN to access your case dashboard.
Step 2: Navigate to the Fee Payment section The portal shows the fees due — the IV fee for each applicant and the AOS fee separately.
Step 3: Select a payment method NVC accepts credit card, debit card, and electronic funds transfer (ACH/bank transfer). Use a card authorized for international or government online transactions.
Step 4: Complete and confirm payment Follow the portal prompts. After successful payment, you will receive a confirmation. Save this confirmation number.
Step 5: Wait for confirmation to appear in the portal After payment, the CEAC portal typically updates within a few business days. Once both fees are marked as paid, document submission sections become available.
What If Your Payment Fails or Doesn't Register?
Card declined or blocked: Some banks flag government or international transactions. Try a different card or contact your bank to authorize the payment.
Payment processed but not showing in portal: Allow 2–3 business days. If the fee still doesn't show as paid after a week, contact NVC through the Public Inquiry Form before paying again. Paying twice is possible and would require a refund request.
Payment page error: Wait a day and try again. If the problem persists, call NVC at 1-603-334-0700.
Can You Get a Refund on NVC Fees?
NVC fees are generally non-refundable, including in cases where the visa is ultimately denied. Refunds may be available only in cases of duplicate payment or administrative error.
Are NVC Fee Waivers Available?
The immigrant visa application fee and AOS fee do not have a standard fee waiver process. Unlike some USCIS fees (where Form I-912 can be filed), NVC fees generally cannot be waived. Very narrow exceptions exist for certain special immigrant visa categories (such as specific SIV programs), but these are category-specific.
Diversity Visa Lottery Applicants: Note on Fees
DV lottery selectees go through NVC, but fees and instructions may differ slightly. DV selectees should follow the specific instructions in their DV case materials, as the timeline and payment process are structured differently given the strict annual program deadlines.
Total Cost of Consular Processing: A Realistic Estimate
| Cost Item | Approximate Range |
|---|---|
| NVC Immigrant Visa fee | $325 |
| NVC Affidavit of Support fee | $120 |
| Medical examination | $200–$500+ |
| Civil documents and certified copies | $50–$300+ |
| Certified translations | $50–$300+ |
| Police certificates | $0–$150+ |
| Total (rough estimate, single applicant) | $750–$1,500+ |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much are NVC fees in 2026? The two primary NVC fees are the Immigrant Visa application fee ($325 per applicant) and the Affidavit of Support fee ($120 per case). For a single applicant, the total NVC fee is $445.
When do I pay NVC fees? After receiving your NVC welcome letter with your case number and Invoice ID Number (IIN). Fees are paid through the CEAC portal at ceac.state.gov before document submission opens.
Are NVC fees refundable? Generally, no. NVC fees are non-refundable, including in cases where the visa is ultimately denied.
Can I pay NVC fees by check or money order? NVC's standard payment process uses the CEAC online portal, which accepts credit cards, debit cards, and electronic bank transfers.
What happens if I don't pay NVC fees? Your case will remain in a pending status and document submission will not open. The fees must be paid before any documents can be uploaded through the CEAC portal.
Does NVC charge a fee for document review? No. Document review is included in the Immigrant Visa and Affidavit of Support fees. There are no separate fees for NVC to review your documents.
What if my case has multiple applicants — does each person pay separately? The $325 Immigrant Visa fee applies to each applicant. The $120 Affidavit of Support fee is paid once per case. All payments are made through the same CEAC portal account.