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US Visas (B1/B2 and F-1)
Last updated: 2026-09-17
US visas are decided by the Department of State and its consular posts, entirely separately from Canadian immigration. What we provide is document preparation, the DS-160, appointment scheduling and interview preparation; the decision rests with the consular officer. Several rules changed in 2025: almost all applicants must now attend in person, applications should normally be filed in the country of nationality or residence, F, M and J applicants must make their social media public, and a US$250 visa integrity fee was introduced. This page reflects the current rules.
- MRV fee
- US$185, non-refundable whatever the outcome
- Visa integrity fee
- US$250, charged at issuance and not on refusal; rollout varies by post
- Interviews
- From October 1, 2025 almost all applicants must appear in person, regardless of age
- Where to file
- From September 6, 2025, normally in your country of nationality or residence
Official processing times
These visas are decided by each country's missions in Canada, and there is no single published dataset. Below are the official pages where each one publishes its processing times and appointment information:
- US Department of State: global visa wait timestravel.state.gov ↗
- USTravelDocs appointment system (Canada)ustraveldocs.com ↗
We also chase interview appointments
Consular interview slots are often taken within minutes of opening. We monitor the booking systems, help pick the right location and rebook earlier slots where possible, and prepare the interview file alongside.
Book a consultationProcessing times and appointment availability swing with the season; in peak periods (summer, year end) an appointment can be weeks or months out. The links above are the official pages — their published figures govern.
The main categories
B-1 business
- Business meetings, conferences, trade shows, contract signing
- No paid employment in the United States
- Usually issued together with B-2 as a B1/B2
- The business purpose and who pays must be clearly documented
B-2 tourism and family visits
- Tourism, visiting relatives, short-term medical treatment
- Length of stay set by CBP on arrival, usually up to six months
- No work, and no degree programs
- Assessment focuses on your reasons to return
F-1 student
- Admission to a SEVP-certified school and a Form I-20 come first
- The I-901 SEVIS fee must be paid
- You must show funds for tuition and living costs
- You must show you will leave after your studies
Canadian citizens and permanent residents
- Canadian citizens generally need no visa for business or tourism
- Canadian permanent residents follow the rules for their passport nationality
- They may file at a US post in Canada based on residence here
- Proof of lawful residence in Canada is required
What changed in 2025
These directly affect appointment timing and document preparation, and are where most mistakes now occur.
- In-person interviews: from October 1, 2025, almost all nonimmigrant visa applicants must be interviewed regardless of age. Limited exceptions include renewing a full-validity B1/B2 within 12 months of expiry where the applicant was at least 18 when it was issued, plus diplomatic and official categories
- A waiver is never automatic: consular officers may still require an in-person interview in any case
- Country of residence: since September 6, 2025, applicants should schedule interviews at the post in their country of nationality or residence
- Filing elsewhere requires proof of residence there, usually means a much longer wait, and makes qualifying harder
- Fees are neither refunded nor transferred between posts
- Social media vetting: F, M and J applicants must set all social media profiles to public and list every handle used in the past five years on the DS-160; omissions can lead to refusal and future ineligibility
- Visa integrity fee: US$250, legislated on July 4, 2025, collected at issuance and not charged on refusal, with rollout varying between posts
Fees
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MRV application fee | US$185 | B1/B2, F-1 and most categories; paid before filing, non-refundable |
| Visa integrity fee | US$250 | Charged at issuance, not on refusal; timing differs by post |
| I-901 SEVIS fee | For F and M students | Paid before the F-1 interview; bring the receipt |
| Reciprocity issuance fee | Depends on nationality | Payable on issuance for some nationalities, per the reciprocity table |
Fees follow the current State Department and post schedules; check the ICE site for the SEVIS amount and payment methods. Nothing is refunded on refusal, apart from the integrity fee, which is only charged when a visa is issued.
State Department visa fees →How it works
- 1
Confirm the category and where to file
Decide between B1/B2, F-1 or another category, and confirm the right post. Residents of Canada need proof of lawful status here.
- 2
F-1: obtain the I-20 and pay the SEVIS fee
After admission to a SEVP-certified school, obtain the Form I-20, pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and keep the receipt.
- 3
Complete the DS-160 and pay the MRV fee
The form must match the facts and any previous applications. F, M and J applicants list every social media handle used in the past five years and set profiles to public.
- 4
Book the interview
Schedule the visa application centre and consular appointments under current rules. Almost everyone now attends in person.
- 5
Prepare and attend
Passport, DS-160 confirmation, fee receipts, the I-20 for F-1, proof of funds and employment, itinerary and proof of Canadian residence. Answers should be short, true and consistent.
- 6
Wait for the decision
Some cases go into administrative processing with unpredictable timing. Passports are returned as the post directs.
Common questions
I am a Canadian permanent resident — can I apply in Canada?+
Yes. A permanent resident holding a passport that requires a US visa can file at a US post in Canada on the basis of residence here. Under the rule in force since September 6, 2025, applicants should file in their country of nationality or residence — Canada being your country of residence works in your favour. Bring proof of status, such as a PR card, work permit or study permit.
How soon can I reapply after a 214(b) refusal?+
There is no waiting period, but 214(b) is about failing to show you will leave the United States. If your circumstances — work, income, family, assets, travel history — have not materially changed, filing again quickly usually just costs another US$185. Identify the weakness first and reapply once something real has changed.
Can I renew without an interview?+
Far less often than before. Since October 1, 2025 almost everyone must attend regardless of age. A B renewal waiver requires a previous full-validity B1/B2 visa, renewal within 12 months of its expiry, and that you were at least 18 when it was issued. Even then, the officer can still require you to appear.
What matters most for an F-1 application?+
Three things: the I-20 and SEVIS fee must be done first; funds for tuition and living costs must be clearly and lawfully sourced; and since 2025 F, M and J applicants must make social media public and list every handle from the past five years on the DS-160, where omissions can cause refusal and future ineligibility. You must also show you will leave after your studies — student visas are subject to 214(b) too.
Can you guarantee the visa?+
No, and neither can anyone else. A US visa is decided by a consular officer at the interview, and no third party can promise an outcome. What we do is identify the right category, make the documents and DS-160 accurate and consistent, arrange the appointment, and prepare you for the questions likely to be asked. Treat any promise of a guaranteed visa or inside connections as a warning sign.
Wondering whether you qualify?
Contact us for an assessment and plan tailored to your background.
Book a consultationThis page summarizes official information from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for general reference only. Immigration rules change often, so always check IRCC's latest requirements. Every case is different — contact us for an assessment of your situation.
Sources (IRCC official website)
- State Department: B-1/B-2 visitor visas
- State Department: student visas
- State Department: visa fees
- State Department: interview waiver update, September 18, 2025
- State Department: adjudicating applicants in their country of residence
- State Department: expanded screening and vetting
- ICE: I-901 SEVIS fee
- US Embassy in Canada: visas