The US Embassy is introducing new fees for most non-immigrant visa applications and decreasing immigrant visa processing fees from April 13.
The embassy is increasing visa processing fees as the current rates can no longer cover the actual cost of processing, it said in a press release. “The non-immigrant visa fee increase will support the addition and expansion of overseas facilities, as well as additional staffing required to meet increased visa demand.”
Although most categories of non-immigrant visa processing fees will increase, the fee of E visas (trader and treaty-investor) and K visas (for fiancé (e) s of US citizens) will decrease, the Embassy said.
The new rate for tourist, business, transit, crew member, student, exchange visitor and journalist visas is US$160; petition-based visas (H, L, O, P, Q and R) US$190; treaty investor and trader visas (E) US$270; fiancé (e) visas (K) have been reduced to US$240 while Border Crossing Cards for persons age 15 and older cost US$160 and Border Crossing Cards for persons under 15 years old is now US$15.
A reallocation of costs associated with immigrant visas will see all categories of immigrant visa processing fees decreasing. Immediate relative and family preference applications cost US$230; employment-based applications, US$405; other immigrant visa applications, US$220; diversity visa programme fee US$330 and determining returning resident status is US$275.
To view the interim final rule the public is invited to visit the website www.regulations.gov. Comments will be accepted until 60 days after publication. At that time, the department will consider the public comments, and the published final rule will include its response to any comments received. More information can also be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website travel.state.gov and on the websites of US embassies and consulates.
