Application Procedures

Pay the Fee

All nonimmigrant visa applicants must pay a $131 or 479 Qatari Riyal (QR) Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee.  You can pay this fee at any Doha branch of the Commercial Bank.  You will not be allowed to pay this fee to the Consular Cashier on the day of your interview.  Please note that this fee is not refundable, even if your application is refused.  Lost, stolen or damaged receipts cannot be used or refunded.  Please bring both pink and yellow receipts to your interview.

On January 1, 2008, the MRV fee increased from $100 to $131.  Applicants who paid the $100 MRV fee prior to January 1, 2008, can use the receipt up to one year from the date of the receipt's issuance.  However, all applicants must pay the $31 difference at the U.S. Embassy at the time of their visa interview.

Students and Exchange Visitors

If you are planning to study in the U.S. under the F, J, or M visa categories, you must pay an initial fee in addition to the MRV fee to register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  Please visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm for information on paying the fee online, through Western Union or normal mail.  All F, J, amd M visa applicants must present their I-901 SEVIS fee receipt at the time of their visa interview.

Diplomatic Passport Holders

If you hold a "Diplomatic" passport, you are exempt from the $131 MRV fee.  However, if you hold a "Regular" or "Special" passport, you must still pay the $131 MRV fee.  If you hold a "Diplomatic" passport and do pay the $131 MRV fee, please note that once paid, the MRV fee is non-refundable, and neither Commercial Bank or the U.S. Embassy can refund your fee.

Reciprocity fees

Citizens of certain countries must pay an additional visa issuance fee once their applications are approved.  This fee is established according to the additional fee an applicant’s home country charges U.S. citizens for the same type of visa.  The Consular Officer normally advises the applicant at the conclusion of the interview if a reciprocity fee is required.  Refer to the visa reciprocity table to determine the exact cost by nationality.  Note: There are no reciprocity fees for Qatari citizens.

• Go back to Get your Photo
• Next: Get an Appointment