MRV Fee Receipt Not Showing? Common Issues and How to Fix Them

Applying for a US visa—whether it's a tourist visa, student visa, or a USA business visa—always starts with one common step: paying the MRV fee. Once the payment is done, you receive an MRV fee receipt, which is essential for scheduling your visa interview.

But what if the MRV fee receipt is not showing on your profile? This is a common issue many applicants face, and it can be frustrating when your visa plans depend on timely scheduling. The good news is: most MRV receipt visibility issues are easy to fix once you know what’s causing them.

This blog breaks down the most common reasons why your MRV fee receipt may not appear and offers simple, practical solutions to get things back on track.

What Is an MRV Fee Receipt?

Before tackling the issues, it helps to understand what exactly the MRV fee receipt is.

MRV stands for Machine-Readable Visa. This non-refundable fee confirms your payment for the US visa application. Once you pay the MRV fee through the designated bank or online payment portal, the system generates an electronic receipt that becomes visible in your visa portal.

You cannot schedule a US visa interview without this receipt. That’s why, if your MRV fee receipt is not showing, it can delay your entire application timeline.

Why Your MRV Fee Receipt Is Not Showing

There are several reasons why the MRV fee receipt may not appear after payment. Let’s break down the most common ones.

1. Payment Processing Delay

This is the most common reason. Depending on the payment method:

• Online banking payments: Usually reflect in 2–4 hours

• Cash payments at the bank: Can take up to 24–48 hours

• Third-party payment wallets: May require extra verification time

If you just made the payment, wait for a few hours before checking again.

Fix:Give the system some time. Refresh your visa portal after 3–4 hours, or check again the next morning for cash deposits.

2. Incorrect Payment Reference Used

When paying the MRV fee, you must use the exact reference or deposit slip number generated on your visa portal. If the wrong reference number was used, the system won’t detect your payment.

Fix:

• Verify the code you used vs. the one in your profile

• If the wrong reference was used, contact the payment provider or customer support for correction

• In rare cases, you may need to pay again (refunds are not available)

3. Bank System or Server Downtime

Sometimes the issue isn’t with you but with the bank or payment server. System maintenance or temporary downtime can cause delays in updating payment status.

Fix:

• Check the bank’s downtime announcements

• Try accessing the portal at a different time

• Keep checking periodically

4. Visa Portal Glitch or Server Error

The US Visa portal occasionally faces technical issues, especially during high-demand periods like summer travel months or student intake season.

Common signs include:

• Receipt not showing

• Transaction status pending

• Portal loading errors

Fix:

• Log out and log back in

• Try a different browser

• Clear cookies/cache

• Use incognito mode

If the issue persists for more than 24 hours, contact support.

5. Wrong Profile Logged In

Many applicants unknowingly log into a different email ID or create multiple profiles. Since the MRV receipt is tied to your passport number and DS-160 details, a mismatched profile won’t display it.

Fix:

• Double-check which account you used when generating the MRV deposit slip

• Ensure your passport number matches the profile you are checking

6. DS-160 Form Details Don’t Match

If you paid the MRV fee under one DS-160 number but updated or changed your form later, the system may not reflect the receipt.

Fix:

• Use the same DS-160 number you used during payment

• If you need to update details, contact support before making any changes

7. Payment Not Successfully Completed

Sometimes the payment fails midway due to:

• Browser timeout

• Poor internet connection

• Bank rejection

• Session expiration

The portal may show “payment initiated” but the receipt won’t appear.

Fix:

• Check if your bank account was debited

• If debited but no receipt shows after 24 hours, contact the US visa support center with proof of payment

• If not debited, retry the payment

What to Do If the MRV Fee Receipt Still Doesn’t Show After 48 Hours

If you’ve waited long enough and tried all fixes but the MRV fee receipt is still not showing, then it's time for the next steps.

1. Raise a Ticket with US Visa Support

Visit ustraveldocs.com for your region and submit a support request. Attach:

• Proof of payment

• Deposit slip/receipt

• Passport number

• DS-160 number

2. Call Customer Care

You can speak directly to a support representative who can check your payment status in real-time.

3. Visit the Bank (For Cash Payments)

If you paid in cash, the bank may need to resend the confirmation to the visa system.

4. Get Help from a Migration Consultant

If deadlines are tight (for example, business travel or urgent interviews), getting help from a reliable migration consultant can save time. They know the exact steps and documents needed to speed up the troubleshooting.

How to Avoid MRV Fee Receipt Issues in the Future

A few simple precautions can save you a lot of trouble:

• Always generate a fresh deposit slip before payment

• Double-check the reference number

• Do not change your DS-160 after payment

• Avoid duplicate profiles

• Take a screenshot of all steps

• Track your payment status

These steps reduce the chances of delays, especially when applying for a USA business visa, where timing is often critical.

Final Thoughts

Seeing your MRV fee receipt not showing can be stressful, especially when you’re racing against visa appointment availability. But in most cases, the issue is temporary or easily fixable. Give the system some time, verify your details, and follow the troubleshooting steps above.

If you still face issues or need urgent help with the MRV fee process or US visa application, consulting an experienced migration consultant can make the process smoother and error-free.