The Department of State issued a Final Rule increasing some nonimmigrant application (NIV) processing fees, among other items. As of June 17, 2023, there will be an adjustment to the processing fee for nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications as outlined below.

Application fees affected include:

  • Visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2’s and BCC’s), and student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J visas) will see an increase in cost to $185 from $160,
  • Petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R) fees will move to $205 from $190, and
  • Treaty traders, investors, and applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) fee will increase to $315 from $205.

Individuals who paid for their visa application prior to the June 17, 2023, date will not pay the higher fee.

The actual cost of providing NIV services is the basis of the fee increase, following a detailed study of the process. The last update to petition-based NIV fees was in 2012. Some other NIV fees were previously updated in 2014.

Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the two-year residency waiver for some exchange visitors.

If you have questions about your immigration process or any immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We work with our clients in their individual situations to ensure they get the right advice and remain in compliance.

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