State Department delays consular fee increases

The U.S. State Department has delayed the effective date of consular fee increases for nonimmigrant visa applications and Border Crossing Cards for some Mexican nationals.

Key Points:

• Consular fee increases for nonimmigrant visa applications and Border Crossing Cards are now set to take effect on June 17, 2023, instead of May 30.

• The application processing fee for non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas (except E category) will be raised from $160 to $185.
• The application processing fee for H, L, O, P, Q and R category NIVs will be raised from $190 to $205.
• The fee for E category NIVs will be raised from $205 to $315.
• The processing fee for the Border Crossing Card for Mexican nationals ages 15 and older will be raised from $160 to $185.

Additional Information: More information regarding the delayed consular fee increases is available in the Federal Register notice.

BAL Analysis: The State Department stated that it delayed the effective date of the fee increases because the final rule was not delivered to the U.S. Senate until April 17, and by law there must be a 60-day review period. Current fees will remain in place until June 17. Employers should take the consular fees increases into account and adjust their budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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