ISLAMABAD: The United States has announced to raise application processing fees for certain non-immigrant visas, including those for students and tourists, beginning on May 30, 2023, according to the State Department.
The fee for business or tourism visitor visas (B1/B2s) and non-petition-based non-immigrant visas (NIV), such as student and exchange visitor visas, will rise from $160 to $185. Meanwhile, application fees for petition-based non-immigrant worker visas in the H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories will surge to $205 from $190.
The H, L, O, P, Q, and R visas are intended for temporary workers and those who wish to work in the US for a set period of time. These visa types are divided into subcategories based on the nature of the employment. Individuals applying for treaty trader or investor visas or speciality occupations (E category) will have to pay $315 for their application fee, up from $205.
All other consular fees, however, will remain unchanged. Those who have previously paid a valid and non-expiring visa application fee but have yet to attend their visa interview or are waiting for their case to be processed will not be charged any additional fees.
The cost of visas is determined by an annual review of service expenses, according to a statement from the US State Department. Most non-petition-based NIV costs were last updated in 2012, with some additional NIV costs updated in 2014. The State Department acknowledged the importance of international travel to the US economy and stated that work and tourist visas are critical to President Biden’s foreign policy.
