The U.S. Department of State proposes increasing nonimmigrant visa application fees. The December 14 proposal cites an independent cost of service study finding that the U.S. Government is not fully covering its costs for processing visas.
The current fee is $131. The new fee schedule would be tiered because “the cost of accepting, adjudicating, and issuing [visas] is appreciably higher” for certain categories of visas that require a “review of extensive documentation and a more in-depth interview.”
B (temporary visitors for business or pleasure): $140
E (treaty traders and investors): $390
H (temporary workers): $150
K (fiance or fiancee of U.S. citizen): $350
L (intracompany transferees): $150
O (aliens of extraordinary ability): $150
P (artists, entertainers, athletes): $150
Q (cultural exchange visitors): $150
R (religious workers): $150
Other nonimmigrant visa classifications: $140
After the proposed fee increase was published in the Federal Register on December 14, the public was allowed 60 days to submit comments. Then the State Department will implement the proposed rule “as quickly as practicable.”
Fees were last changed effective January 1, 2008.
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