The US has increased the fee for tourists and students who are hoping to seek visas. The new prices for non-immigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees are from $160 to $185. The new prices will be applicable from May 30, as confirmed by the US Department of State.
The visa fees are applicable to those applying for visitor visas for business or tourism and NIVs student visa and exchange visitor visas. As per the exchange rates, the new categories will be around 15,000 instead of the estimated Rs 13,000.
According to the US Department of State, “The fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185.C”
The fees for petition-based non-immigrant visas for temporary employees will increase from $190 to $205, the statement added. The new fees will apply to business visas B1/B2 and BCC, as well as student and exchange visitor visas.
The Indian students will now have to pay Rs 15,150 under the revised fees, which were earlier Rs 13,000 as per the current exchange rate.
The visa application fee has been increased to $205 from $190 for certain petition-based non-immigrant visas and H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories. The applicants applying for work in India will have to pay Rs 16,700 which was Rs 15,550 earlier. The visa fee for treaty traders, treaty investors, and treaty applicants with a speciality occupation has increased from $205 to $315.
The official statement said that other consular fees are not affected by the fee hike and the waiver, thus the exchange visitor fee will also be unaffected. The US has said that they are committed to facilitating legitimate travel for immigrant as well as non-immigrant travelers. According to them, “Visas for work and tourism is essential to Biden foreign policy, and we recognize the critical role international travel play for the US economy.”
Source: News18
