June 14th, 2023 at 01:17 pm
US Increases Non-Immigrant Visa Processing Fee
On May 30, the US Department of State announced a Final Rule raising non-immigrant visa application (NIV) processing fees for Tourist, Student, and Work Visas.
This rise facilitates legal US travel for immigrants and non-immigrants.
US Visa Fee Increase Details
According to the Federal Register, visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs) and other non-petition-based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas would increase from $160 to $185.
H, L, O, P, Q, and R petition-based temporary worker visas will rise from $190 to $205. Finally, treaty traders, investors, and applicants in specialty occupations (E category) will pay $315 instead of $205.
Importantly, visa applicants who paid before May 30, 2023, would not be charged additional expenses.
| Visa Type | Current Fee | New Fee (Effective May 30, 2023) |
| Visitor Visas for Business or Tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs) | $160 | $185 |
| Student and Exchange Visitor Visas | $160 | $185 |
| Petition-Based Nonimmigrant Visas for Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) | $190 | $205 |
| Treaty Trader, Treaty Investor, and Treaty Applicants in a Specialty Occupation (E category) | $205 | $315 |
Categories Affected by the US Visa Fee Hike
US visa categories affected by the hike:
- B1: Business; Domestic employee or nanny – must accompany foreign national employer
- B2: Leisure travel
- H: Work visas
- L: Intra-company transferee
- O: Foreigner with exceptional talent in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics
- P: Performing athlete, artist, entertainer
- Q: International cultural exchange visitor?
- R: Religious worker
- E: Treaty investor/trader
Impact on Consular Fees
The Final Rule mainly affects specific NIV and BCC costs. Other consular fees, such as the two-year residency waiver for exchange visits, remain unaffected.
After studying the cost of NIV services, NIV fees are decided. The Department calculates annual consular costs, including visa costs, using Activity-Based Costing (ABC).
Most non-petition-based NIV costs were last revised in 2012, while others were updated in 2014.
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