Why do Americans charge a visa fee when the visa is denied?

Question

Applying for a visa to enter the U.S is not an easy task, but the fact that they charge $130 dollars when they deny you a visa is unacceptable. I understand If they give you the visa, but when they deny you why do they keep this money. Where does it go? Why do i pay for a visa that was denied? They did not do all the leg work that i did getting a passport, having photos taken, having legal documents notized, travelling to another city (to the embassy) just to hear "apply again next year" and no money in return? Where does that money go? I thought I was paying for an approved visa...not $130 to be rejected.

Answer 1

You are not "paying" for an approved visa - you cannot buy a visa.

The fee that you pay covers the adminsitrative costs of employing people in the Consulate to process the visas, do background checks, and all the behind the scenes activities involved with the visa process.

If it were free to apply for a visa, every other person on the street would submit an application and the Consulate would be overrun with applicants and work.

Even with the fee, many Consulates are overrun. The fee ensures that only those applicants who are serious and and who can afford the trip apply.

I am sorry you did not get accepted, but you have to understand that the Consulate deals with many people on a daily basis who say they are going to visit the U.S. on vacation or to study, but who, in reality, have not intention of returning to their own country. They also have to deal with illegal alien traffickers, drug traffickers, and other forms of fraud, so they are not just arbitraily selecting who gets a visa and who does not. They have specific criteria.

If you have a family or a business in your home country, they will be more assured that you are likely to return than if you are young and single.

Answer 2

theresa is right!

it doesnt take 3 minute as u said dear friend.

they have to do their reserches and that's where ur money goes.

u cant aspect that just cause teh consolat denied ur visa they give u the money back.

the people encharged for those reserches had alredy work... spent time on ur paper works. they waisted their time.

u knew what u were doing and that there was a risk of seeing getting  ur visa denied. why should u get the money back?

otherwise thay should give the money back to pepole with approved visa too.

sorry, but u r in the wrong.

u dont pay so they can approve ur visa.,

u r paying for all the process no metter how can end it. in ur case ended badly. sorry but u have to accept it the way it is... wich is fair.

Answer 3

Well, it makes sure you are sincere.

My friend got denied.  What can I do?  I spent over $1,000 getting her paperwork and application together.

Answer 4

I am an American citizen and recently helped a Mexican friend do all this process that you described...and the visa was denied.  It cost more than $500 for the notarized papers, trip to Mexico City, and visa fee...for nothing.  I understand exactly how you feel. If they kept a part of it...for their time...all 3 minutes of it for your interview...I could understand it, but as the applicant has not used up more than 3 minutes of their time and they have put no work into it, I too think it is unfair to keep the application fee.  The information does tell you this, but few people realize that the great MAJORITY ov visa applications are denied.