Consular fees to change Sept. 12

Consular fees to change Sept. 12

The U.S. Department of State will change its processing fees for nonimmigrant and immigrant visas beginning Sept. 12.

Most of the fees for nonimmigrant categories will remain the same or decrease. Notable fee increases include fees for family-sponsored immigrant visas, domestic review of an Affidavit of Support, and K visas (fiancé of U.S. citizen). Renunciation of U.S. citizenship will increase more than five-fold to $2,350.

Applicants who paid a fee that will decrease will not be refunded the difference. For fees that will increase, applicants who paid their fee (at the lower rate) before Sept. 12 and whose interview is on or before Dec. 11, will not have to pay the increase. Those who paid their fee before Sept. 12 and whose interview is on or after Dec. 12 will be required to pay the increase.

Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees                              

Type of Visa Previous Fee New Fee Change
K visa – Fiancé of U.S. citizen $270 $205 – $65
E visa – Treaty Investor/Trader $240 $265 +$25
Border Crossing Card (under age 15) $15 $16 + $1

Immigrant Visa Processing Fees

Type of Visa Previous Fee New Fee Change
Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications $230 $325 + $95
Employment-Based Applications $405 $345 –  $60
Other Immigrant Visa Applications $220 $205 –  $15
Determining Returning Resident Status $275 $180 –  $95
Waiver of Two-Year Residency Requirement $215 $120 –  $95
Affidavit of Support Review (reviewed domestically) $88 $120 + $32

Citizens’ and Administrative Services

Type of Service Previous Fee New Fee Change
Renunciation of Citizenship $450 $2,350 + $1,900
Charge for Consular Time (for fee services performed outside of normal business hours or away from the office) $231 $135 –  $96

BAL Analysis: The new fee schedule represents cost savings for employment-based applications. Petitioners whose fees will increase, notably in family-based immigrant categories, should build the increased costs into their budgets.

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