As of April 13, 2012, the US Department of State will is adjusting processing fees for most US visas. The fees for most nonimmigrant visa applications and US Border Crossing Cards will increase unfortunately, while at least the immigrant visa processing fees will decrease which covers all the green card and family type sponsorships.
The increases are supposed to be for increased demand in visas abroad along with facilities and staffing costs, however given the H-1B visa general demand over last 3 years is down significantly along with many other visas, not sure the logic holds up. Combine that with the huge US Budget shortfalls and this is an easy political move to increase revenue while not annoying actual voters.
As we said a majority of categories of nonimmigrant visa processing fees will increase, the fee for E visas (treaty-traders and treaty-investors as well as the E3 for Australians) and K visas (for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens) will decrease.
Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees
|
Type of Visa |
Previous Fee |
New Fee |
|
Tourist (B-1), Business (B-2), Transit, Crew Member, Student (F-1), Exchange Visitor (J-1), and Journalist visas |
$140 |
$160 |
|
$150 |
$190 |
|
|
$390 |
$270 |
|
|
$350 |
$240 |
|
|
Border Crossing Cards (age 15 and older) |
$140 |
$160 |
|
Border Crossing Cards (under age 15) |
$14 |
$15 |
Immigrant Visa Processing Fees
|
Type of Visa |
Previous Fee |
New Fee |
|
Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications |
$330 |
$230 |
|
$720 |
$405 |
|
|
Other Immigrant Visa Applications |
$305 |
$220 |
|
$440 |
$330 |
|
|
Determining Returning Resident Status |
$380 |
$275 |