NEW DELHI, January 29: The United States today announced a steep increase in visa fees. The changes, a USIS release said, were required by a US law which mandates that application fees be set at levels that reflect the costs associated with processing visa applications.For non-immigrant visas, the application fee has been increased from $ 20 to $ 45. The total cost of long-term visas will now become $ 145 ($ 45 application and $ 100 issuance) one year visas at $ 95 ($ 45 application and $ 50 issuance) and six month visas at $ 70 ($ 45 application and $ 25 issuance).
The actual amount charged to Indians, in rupees, will depend on the exchange rate in effect at the time of application. Indian citizens contemplating a visit to the US in the future have been advised to apply now while the demand is low. This way they will avoid the busy season later in spring when the large number of visa applicants can result in long waits in crowded conditions.
Some of the fees associated with US immigrant visaprocessing have also been changed. The new fees, payable by demand draft, are: fingerprints $ 25, application $ 260 and issuance $ 65.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
