USA Announces Non-immigrant Visa Fees Increment

The United States of America (USA) has announced a hike in visa fee applications across the world for non-immigrants.

This will take effect across all US embassies and Consulates around the world on May 30.

The increment will not affect fees already paid before May 30 with an interview scheduled within 365 days, the US Embassy in Ghana said in a statement.

“Applicants who pay the visa fee before May 30, 2023, and schedule an interview within 365 days of the day payment is made are not affected by this change. There is no requirement for the interview to actually occur during that 365-day period, applicants must just take the step of scheduling an appointment within 365 days.”

Charges
The fee for B1/B2 visas for business and tourist travel, F visas for international students, J exchange visitor visas, and other visa classes not requiring a petition will increase to $185 (from $160).

For petition-based non-immigrant categories (H, L, O, P, Q, and R), the fee will increase to $205 (from $190).

Increment
According to the statement, these charges are used to fund the consular operations.

It noted that Non-immigrant visa fees are set based on the actual cost of providing these services as determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services.

“Nonimmigrant visa fee increases are based strictly on the results of this cost-of-service model, and the Department of State only recovers the costs of providing these consular services.”

A non-immigrant visa is issued to a person with permanent residence outside the United States but wishes to be in the United States temporarily