US hikes student, tourist visa fees by 15%

The United States Department of State has announced 15 per cent hike in fees for certain nonimmigrant visa applications, including travel visas.

It said the fee for B-1/B-2 visitor visas, Border Crossing Cards for Mexican citizens aged 15 and above, and student and exchange visitor visas will increase from $160 to $185.

Also, the fees for certain nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205.

Meanwhile, the fee for treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315.

These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2023 and will be effective on May 30, 2023.

“NIV fees are set based on the actual cost of providing NIV services and are determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services.

“The Department uses an Activity-Based Costing methodology to calculate, annually, the cost of providing consular services, including visa services. The fees for most non-petition based NIVs 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.

“Visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, and we recognize the critical role international travel plays in the U.S. economy,” the US Department said in a statement on Wednesday.