Posted by The US government has raised the fees for certain non-immigrant visa applications (NIV).
The 15% increase applies to student visas, exchange visiting visas, petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers, and treaty applicants.
According to a statement posted on the bureau of consular affairs’ website, travel.state.gov, as well as the websites of US embassies and consulates,
“These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023, and they will go into effect on May 30, 2023.” The fee for business or tourism visitor visas (B1/B2s and BCCs), as well as other non-petition-based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will rise from $160 to $185.
“The application price for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will rise from $190 to $205. Treaty traders, treaty investors, and treaty applicants in a speciality occupation (E category) will see their fees rise from $205 to $315.
“NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after a cost-benefit analysis.” The department calculates the cost of delivering consular services, including visa services, using an activity-based costing (ABC) approach on a yearly basis.
“Most non-petition-based NIV fees were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.”
“Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors.”