U.S. VISA APPLICATION FEES WILL INCREASE ON JANUARY 1, 2008

Effective January 1, 2008, the application fees for U.S. nonimmigrant and immigrant visas will increase.  These fee increases apply to visa applicants worldwide and are due to new security-related costs, new information technology systems and inflation.

NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION FEE WILL INCREASE TO $131

Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131.  Those applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee before January 1, 2008 will be processed without further payment only if they appear for a visa interview before January 31, 2008.

Applicants who paid the prior $100 application fee and appear for visa interviews after January 31, 2008 must pay the difference - $31 - at CITIC Bank and obtain a receipt before they will be interviewed.

Any payments made after January 1, 2008, regardless of the interview date, must be for the full $131 fee.

IMMIGRANT VISA APPLICATION FEE WILL INCREASE TO $355

Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. immigrant visa will increase from $335 to $355.  Those applicants who paid the prior $335 application fee before January 1, 2008 will be processed without further payment even if they appear for an immigrant visa interview after January 1, 2008.

Most IV applicants pay their fees through the Department of State's National Visa Center (NVC) in the United States.  Fee bills sent by NVC will reflect this change effective January 1, 2008.  Applicants who make their payment after January 1, 2008 will be required to pay the increase even if their original fee bill sent prior to January 1, 2008 displays the fee of $335.