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What is the L1 fraud detection fee and when do you pay it?
If you are applying for an L1 blanket visa — whether that is an L1A or an L1B — you are required to pay a fee called the fraud detection fee. This fee is $500 and it must be paid on the day of your interview. The easiest and most hassle-free way to pay it is by arriving with a demand draft already prepared.
Three things to get right on your demand draft
1. Make it payable to the American Embassy — exact wording matters
The demand draft must be issued in favour of the American Embassy. Use those exact words. Do not write 'US Embassy' or 'US Consulate' — those variations can cause your draft to be rejected at the counter.
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Book a Mock Interview2. Use the correct consular exchange rate to calculate the amount
You cannot simply use whatever rate your bank is offering that day. The demand draft must be calculated using the consular exchange rate, which was recently revised to 87 rupees per USD. At that rate, $500 works out to ₹43,500. Make sure your bank uses this rate when issuing the draft.
3. Write your personal details on the back of the demand draft
Once you have the demand draft in hand, turn it over and write the following details on the back before your interview: your full name, your email address, your contact number, and your passport number. This step is easy to overlook, but it ensures the payment can be traced back to you if anything needs to be verified.
Need help with your DS-160 or L1 interview preparation?
If you have more questions about the L1 visa process or want to work one-on-one with me on your DS-160 form and interview preparation, feel free to reach out. I am happy to walk through the details with you so you go into your interview feeling fully ready.
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