Apply for a U.S. Visa

Bank and Payment Options & Pay My Visa Fee

On this page:

• Overview
• Instructions to Pay Your Visa fee
• Fee Payment Options
• Scheduling Your Interview

Overview

Most applicants, including children, are required to pay a Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee to initiate their U.S. visa application. This US Government-mandated fee is a visa processing fee that is payable whether or not a visa is issued.

The MRV fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Applicants should first determine whether or not they require a visa to travel to the US before submitting their applications.

Examples of individuals that may not require a visa include, but are not limited to:

• If you are applying for an A or G visa for official travel, you do not need to pay the MRV fee.
• If you are applying for a J visa to participate in a U.S. Government-sponsored program (programs beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, G-7), you do not need to pay the MRV fee.
• If you already hold a valid visa for your intended purpose of travel, you may not need a visa.
• If you are a citizen of Canada or Bermuda (but not applying for an A, E, G, K or V visa category), you may not need a visa.

If you do need to apply for a visa, please follow the payment instructions below. Applicants must make a successful payment before they are permitted to schedule their interview appointment. Applicants who do not pay the correct fee for their visa type may be restricted from scheduling an interview.

Once the initial interview is scheduled, applicants are limited to the number of times they can reschedule their appointment. If you miss your scheduled appointment time, you may be required to pay the MRV fee again in order to schedule another interview. Please plan accordingly so that you are not required to pay an additional visa application fee. Visa application fees are non-refundable.

Remember: Applicants are limited to the number of times they can reschedule their appointments. Please plan accordingly so that you are not required to pay another visa application fee. Visa application fees are non-refundable.

Issuance Fee (Reciprocity Fee)

Depending on your citizenship and the type of visa you are applying for, you may also have to pay a visa issuance or “reciprocity” fee. This fee is not an MRV Fee and cannot be used to schedule an appointment. Please make sure that you pay the reciprocity fee in advance only if you are renewing your previous and submitting your application through interview waiver channel. If you are scheduling your interview appointment, do not pay the reciprocity fee in advance; the fee should be paid at the time of your interview at the Consular Section of US Embassy.

Please check this page to find out the applicable reciprocity fee amounts.

Instructions to Pay Your Visa fee

In Laos you may pay your Visa Fee in person at one of 41 branches of ACLEDA Bank. For a full list of branches, please Click Here. You must first register on the applicant site and choose the ‘schedule your appointment’ option to access the payment option details. See below for the steps.

Step 1

Log-in to our online applicant system and create a profile. This will ensure the proper amount is paid and activated in timely manner. Values are shown in U.S. Dollars (USD); however the fee payable is in Laos Kip (LAK). This page has more information about the different visa application fees.

Step 2

Click on Schedule My Appointment option on the left-hand side of your screen. Complete Steps for Visa Type, Post, Visa Category and Visa Class.

Step 3

Once you are on the Payment screen, click on Payment Options. You will print your CGI Deposit slip to take to an ACLEDA Bank location. DO NOT PRINT MULTIPLE COPIES OF THE DEPOSIT SLIP. If you are applying for multiple visas for your family or group, only ONE payment is required.

The LAK amounts are based on the consular currency exchange rate determined by the U.S. Department of State. Applicants who do not pay the correct fee for their visa type may be restricted from scheduling an interview.

Step 4

Visit the ACLEDA Bank location to pay your visa fee. You must complete the ACLEDA Bank ‘Deposit Voucher’ to make your payment. You must include the CGI Reference number in the Deposit Voucher.

When you pay the visa fee, you acknowledge that this is a non-refundable visa application processing fee required as a prerequisite to the processing of an application. It does not indicate the existence of a contract with the applicant, nor does it guarantee a successful application. There is no refund possible regardless of the outcome of this application.

Step 5

After you have paid the visa application fee save the ACLEDA Bank Cashier receipt (‘Customer’s Copy) for your records. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your CGI Reference number.

Step 6

Once you pay your visa fee, you can schedule your interview at 1200pm the following business day. Log-in to your profile and complete the Schedule Your Appointment steps with your CGI Reference number.

Fee Payment Options

Cash at ACLEDA Bank:

You can pay your nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application fee in cash at any of branch of ACLEDA Bank. Before going to the payment location, you must print and carry the applicable U.S. visa fee collection slip available after logging into your profile.

DO NOT PRINT MULTIPLE COPIES OF THE DEPOSIT SLIP. If you are applying for multiple visas for your family or group, only ONE payment is required.

Only ONE CGI Deposit Slip is required. Take the printed deposit slip with you to pay your fee. Be sure that you pay the exact amount indicated on the deposit slip. You must complete the ACLEDA Bank Deposit Voucher to make the payment. After receiving your payment, the ACLEDA cashier will give you a receipt.

Save your receipt with the CGI Reference number. It cannot be replaced if it is lost. You will not be able to schedule an appointment without your CGI Reference number.

Scheduling Your Interview

Whether you schedule your appointment online or contact our call center, you will need the CGI Reference Number from your printed deposit slip.

ACLEDA Bank Deposit Voucher

Sample Deposit Voucher (Completed)

Cash at ACLEDA Bank Locations

See the table below for processing timelines