US Increases Tourist, Student Visa Fees By 15%

The United States Department of State has increased non -immigrant visa application (NIV), fees, including travel visas by 15 percent.

In a Federal Register published on Tuesday, the US Department said the hikes will be effective from 30th May 2023.

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 non-immigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205.

Meanwhile, the fee for treaty traders, treaty investors, and treaty applicants in a speciality occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315.

The US Department said, “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,” it added.