Cost of Transit Visa for USA: New Fees & Process Guide 2025

Are you wondering, What is the cost of transit visa for USA? In 2025, the cost of transit visa for USA has become one of the key issues for Indian tourists, as there are new cost of transit visa for USA from India and immigration manipulations. This handy guide tears apart all the costs of a transit visa for the USA, including application fees and any other extras, that will aid you in planning your trips to any of the American airports with ease.

Transit Visa USA in India

Financial Consultation of a US transit visa in India: To fare well in the financial departures of a US transit visa in India, one needs to be aware of certain payments to be made. There are special expenses that Indian nationals must undergo when applying for the US transit visas, and this is dependent on the prevailing exchange rates as well as some administrative costs of transit visa for the USA from India that are involved. The complete expenses transit visa to the USA for Indian citizens consist of a base package fee of 185, converted into the official exchange rate of 87 INR to USD, amounting to nearly 16,095.

Additional Costs for Indian Applicants

In addition to the main application fee, there are other fees that should be expected by Indian citizens to make up the total expenses of a US transit visa. The fees are paid to cover a number of services and requirements.

• ICWF Fee: It is an obligatory fee of 300 charged by the Indian Community Welfare Fund.

• Visa Fee Service Charge: To be paid to the VFS Global as a fee towards facilitating the application processing services in the amount of two thousand three hundred and twenty-six.

• Translation Of Documents: In case of non-availability of English translation of any supporting documents, translation fee may be required; usually, this would be around 1000 to 2,000.

• Travel to the Consulate: The cost of travelling to a US consulate or embassy to do an interview is not fixed, as it varies according to the location of the applicant in India.

• Courier Services: There may be an additional fee of 500-1000 for the delivery of the passport upon processing of a visa.

Understanding the US Transit Visa Fee Structure in 2025

The big question is what is the cost of transit visa for USA and in order to budget effectively when applying for a US transit visit, one has to understand the numerous components that constitute the entire fee. The cost of a transit visa for the USA. The implications of the US transit visa have several factors that travelers have to consider. The C-1 transit Visa has an application fee of $185 (about $16,095 according to the current exchange rates). This fee is not refundable, and one has to pay the fee regardless of the status of the visa.

Breakdown Of Cost Of Transit Visa For USA

Do you want to know What is the cost of transit visa for USA, here is a detailed breakdown of the various fees associated with a cost of transit visa for USA from India helps in understanding the total financial commitment.

 Also Read: How Many Types of Visa in USA? New Full Expert Guide

Types of US Transit Visas and Their Costs in 2025 for Indians

There are various types of transit visas issued within the United States, and each of them is designed according to a certain purpose of travel and has its own cost of transit visa for USA from India implications. The knowledge of these categories is an indication of finding the right visa and making plans financially as an applicant.

1. C-1 Transit Visa

The C-1 visa is the most frequently used one, and it is used by people who simply pass through the US to reach another territory. A $185 fee is required in order to apply for a C-1 visa, which is payable at all US consulates around the globe. The fee is also not refundable, whether the visa is granted or not.

2. C-2 UN Transit Visa

C-2 visa is specifically meant for those travellers whose immediate and direct transit through the United States is to or out of the United Nations Headquarters District of New York. The C-2 visa usually has a free application fee because of the diplomatic arrangements. Nevertheless, there can still be minor processing or service fees that an applicant may have to pay, depending on the concerned consulate and its third-party contractors.

3. C-3 Government Official Traveller Visa

C-3 visas are to be supplied to the official members of the foreign government and their close relatives, attendants, servants, or employees who are going to transit through the US for official business. People who come to apply C-3 visa are not expected to pay a visa application fee. Just as in the C-2 visa, although the main fee is also waived, there may be other administrative or processing fees.

Latest Application Process and Cost Of Transit Visa For USA in 2025

There are a number of steps involved in the application procedure of a US transit visa from India, which may have cost of transit visa for USA involved or other pointers to watch out for. Getting to know these stages can assist in an easy application.

Africa Visa DS-160 Form

The Nonimmigrant Visa Application is to be filled out online via the DS-160 and can be filled out at no cost of transit visa for USA, but should be filled out with reliable information to prevent delays. This filled-out form requires no errors or inconsistencies, as it causes a delay in processing or even denial of the visa, and may require a re-application and payment of charges. 

It is a step that outlines the initial crucial part of the application process and suggests that accuracy is important. Make use of process-related keywords and give step-by-step instructions in order to enhance user involvement.

Interview Scheduling

Having cleared the 185 application fee succinctly, applicants are required to book US consulates or embassy interviews in India. The wait times to nonimmigrant visa interviews, depending on the city, may be very long at this time or several months in the largest cities of India. By July 2025, waiting times of B1/B2 (including transit) visas are said to be approximately 14 months in Chennai, 9.5 months in Mumbai, 8 months in New Delhi, 7 months in Hyderabad, and 6 months in Kolkata. One should keep an eye on the official US Department of State site in order to be ready to factor in current wait times.

Recent Changes In Cost Of Transit Visa For USA in 2025

In 2025, notable changes have been witnessed in the landscape of US visa charges, and these changes have been brought by new legislative requirements, especially for transit visas. It is of high essence to be updated to these changes to make correct financial plans.

Implementation of Visa Integrity Fee

The use of the new 250 visa integrity fee is one of the key changes in the US policy of visa issuance in 2025. The fee is charged to all nonimmigrant visa applicants, as well as to transit visa holders.

Besides the normal application fees, there is a separate and extra cost of a transit visa for the USA of $250 over the normal $185 application fees.

• Reimbursable Under Certain Conditions: At first being paid, the fee can be reimbursed on certain conditions when the holder of a visa meets the provisions of his or her visa and does not exceed the stipulated number of days allowed by violating his or her visa and extension, does not accept illegal jobs, and leaving US within the stipulated time, or extending his or her status, or adjusting to lawful permanent residence. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is not clear how these reimbursements will happen and when.

• Paid When Obtaining The Visa: The service is generally paid upon accepting the visa, including when the passport of the applicant is returned to them, and the visa is stamped on it.

Latest Cost Comparison with Other Countries in 2025

Understanding the cost of transit visa for USA in comparison to other popular transit hubs can help travellers make informed decisions about their routes.

 Also Read: US Visitor Visa B1/B2

Money-Saving Tips for a US Transit Visa for Indians: Experts Tips & Insights 2025

Although most Indian travellers may have a US transit visa as a prerequisite, there are ways and means of strategic planning and use of alternatives; plans can be undertaken which may reduce cost of transit visa for USA or even dispense with the necessity of a US transit visa. In international travel planning, the efficiency of money-saving tips needs to be understood.

Alternative to the Visa Waiver Program

About 42 countries around the world have citizens who can visit the United States by using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and pay a fee of $21 rather than taking a complete transit visa to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that nowadays Indian citizens cannot enjoy such a program. That is why among Indian travellers, the transit visa turns out to be a necessity in case of transiting through the US.

Transit Prohibition in the USA

One of the direct measures that one can utilise in saving on the US transit visa expenses is by selecting alternative flight routes that involve not using American airports. The number of international carriers that provide service to the major international hubs is quite large.

• Dubai: An easier alternative with long flight connections and frequent or no-visa, or easy visa formalities to spend a short stopover.

• Singapore: Changi Airport is also a major international hub and a typical case of an efficient and well-connected airport, and therefore has several choices available in intercontinental connectivity without necessarily having transit visa requirements provided by various countries.

• European Hubs: Cities like Frankfurt, Amsterdam, or Istanbul offer excellent connectivity to various destinations worldwide, often with streamlined transit procedures that do not necessitate a full transit visa for connecting flights, provided the traveller remains within the international transit area.

Processing Times and Expedited Services for USA Transit Visa 2025

Understanding the typical processing times for US transit visas is vital for planning international travel, especially given potential delays. Current processing times for US transit visas from India average around 7 months for interview scheduling in major cities like Hyderabad. However, for those eligible for an interview waiver, the processing time is significantly shorter, taking approximately 3 weeks. It's important to differentiate between the wait time for an interview appointment and the processing time after the interview or document submission. While the interview wait can be long, the actual processing of the visa once all documents are submitted and the interview (if required) is completed is generally faster. 

Latest News and Facts About Cost Of Transit Visa USA

The landscape of cost of transit visa for USA is dynamic, with recent changes impacting Indian citizens significantly.

• New Visa Integrity Fee: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025, introduced a mandatory 250 "visa integrity fee" on top of the existing cost of a transit visa for the USA. This fee is aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and visa compliance. It will be implemented starting October 1, 2025.

• Fee Structure Changes: US transit visa application fees remain at $185 for C-1 visas as of 2025. This base fee covers the processing of the application itself.

• Exchange Rate Update: The US Embassy in India updated its official exchange rate from 84 INR to 87 INR per USD in January 2025, impacting the Indian rupee equivalent of all USD-denominated fees.

• Processing Times Extended: Indian consulates have reported extended waiting periods for visa interviews in major cities. For example, B1/B2 visa interview wait times currently stand at 14 months in Chennai, 9.5 months in Mumbai, and 8 months in Delhi.

• Interview Waiver Processing: For eligible applicants, the interview waiver process takes up to 3 weeks at Indian consulates, offering a faster alternative for those who meet the criteria for renewal or specific categories.

• Digital Payment Methods: All US transit visa fees must be paid online through approved payment systems, ensuring a standardised and traceable transaction process.

Conclusion

The cost of transit visa for USA has indeed increased significantly in 2025 with the addition of the 250 visa integrity fee. Indian travellers should now budget approximately 438 (38,045) for the complete transit visa process, which includes all mandatory fees and service charges. This updated cost of transit visa for USA reflects both the standard application fee and the newly implemented integrity fee. Given the extended processing times, which can average up to 7 months for interview scheduling in India, early application is absolutely crucial for seamless travel planning. Hope this article helped you figure out the cost of a transit visa for the USA, the cost of a transit visa for the USA from India, what is the cost of a transit visa for the USA, and more. It is also advisable to keep abreast of any further policy changes or exchange rate fluctuations that might affect the final cost of a transit visa for the USA. Planning ahead and considering alternative transit routes can help mitigate both financial burden and potential delays, to learn more visit TerraTern now!