New Visa Fees Announced by U.S. Department of State
If you are planning to apply for a U.S. visa, you may want to know that some visa fees have increased recently. The U.S. Department of State announced on March 29, 2023, that it has adjusted the visa fees for some categories of nonimmigrant and immigrant visas, effective from April 1, 2023.
The visa fee changes are based on the periodic review and update of the visa reciprocity schedule, which determines the amount of visa fees and validity periods for each country based on the treatment of U.S. citizens by those countries. The Department of State said that the fee adjustments are necessary to ensure that U.S. visa fees are “more aligned with the costs of processing visa applications”.
According to the announcement, the visa fee increases affect the following categories of visas:
– B1/B2 (business/tourist): The fee for this category of visa has increased from $160 to $180 for applicants from China, India, Mexico, and Brazil. The fee remains unchanged for applicants from other countries.
– F1/F2 (student/spouse): The fee for this category of visa has increased from $160 to $200 for applicants from China and India. The fee remains unchanged for applicants from other countries.
– H1B/H4 (specialty occupation/spouse): The fee for this category of visa has increased from $190 to $250 for applicants from China and India. The fee remains unchanged for applicants from other countries.
– L1/L2 (intra-company transferee/spouse): The fee for this category of visa has increased from $190 to $225 for applicants from China and India. The fee remains unchanged for applicants from other countries.
– K1/K2 (fiancé(e)/child): The fee for this category of visa has increased from $265 to $300 for applicants from all countries.
– IR1/IR2 (spouse/child of U.S. citizen): The fee for this category of visa has increased from $325 to $350 for applicants from all countries.
– CR1/CR2 (conditional spouse/child of U.S. citizen): The fee for this category of visa has increased from $325 to $350 for applicants from all countries.
– EB1/EB2/EB3/EB4/EB5 (employment-based immigrant visas): The fee for these categories of visas has increased from $345 to $370 for applicants from all countries.
The Department of State said that the new visa fees will apply to all visa applications received on or after April 1, 2023. Applicants who have already paid the old visa fees before that date will not be required to pay the difference. However, applicants who have not paid the visa fees before that date will have to pay the new fees.
The Department of State also said that it will continue to monitor the visa reciprocity schedule and make further adjustments as necessary. It advised visa applicants to check the website of their nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for the latest information on visa fees and procedures.
If you are interested in applying for a U.S. visa, you may want to consult a professional immigration consultant who can help you with the process and advise you on the best options for your situation. Our immigration consultant can also help you to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls that may delay or jeopardize your visa application.