Visa taxes for US visas
Payment of nonimmigrant visa application fee
The Embassy of the United States of America in Sofia and Citibank, N.A. Sofia Branch are collecting application fees for United States nonimmigrant visas through Unionbank as a correspondent. The purpose is to improve efficiency and service to the public by making it easier and more convenient to pay the application fee, and to minimize waiting time at the American Embassy Consular Section.
1. What is the fee to be collected?
All applicants for a United States nonimmigrant visa (that is, a visa for a temporary stay in the United States) must pay a non-refundable application fee of $160.00 per person to cover the cost of applying for a visa. There are no other fees required to apply for a nonimmigrant visa.
NOTE: Fees for all other consular services are paid at the Consular Section office. Only the $160.00 application fee can be paid through this system.
2. Can an applicant pay in Bulgarian currency?
An applicant can pay the fee in USD or the equivalent of $ 160 in Bulgarian currency. If an applicant pays in Bulgarian currency, the rate of exchange will be set daily, using the published Bulgarian National Bank rate.
3. Where should applicants pay the fee?
All visa applicants should pay their fees at financial center of MKB Unionbank.
4. How does the applicant pay the fee?
A visa applicant must go to their favourite finanicla center of MKB Unionbank. The applicant pays the fee to a bank teller, following MKB Unionbank's instructions. The bank teller will give the applicant a three-part deposit slip validated by the bank's computer system:
The blue part of the deposit slip is for the applicant's personal records.
The yellow part of the receipt is for the Consular Section at the American Embassy. The applicant must take the yellow copy to the Consular Section and present it with the visa application.
The white part of the deposit slip is for MKB Unionbank's records.
The completed receipt, validated by MKB Unionbank, is the applicant's proof of payment. The visa applicant is responsible for obtaining a receipt from the bank.
5. What hours are the bank's financial centers open for payment of this fee?
MKB Unionbank's centers are open from 08.30 to 17.00 h every business day.
6. How long is the receipt valid?
The Consular Section of the American Embassy in Sofia will honor a valid receipt for one year after the date of payment. If the applicant has not submitted an application after one year, that applicant must pay a new fee.
7. What happens if an applicant comes to the Consular Section for an appointment without having paid the fee in advance?
The applicant will be directed to pay the fee at one of the branches or offices of Unionbank in Sofia. If the applicant cannot pay the fee in time for the visa appointment, the applicant may be asked to schedule a new appointment.
8. Will the fee be refunded if the visa is not issued ?
No, the fee is an application fee, which is collected whether the visa is issued or not.
Please visit the US Embassy Consular Section website if you need more infromation: http://bulgarian.bulgaria.usembassy.gov/consular.html