Counting the Costs: A Closer Look at the Surge in US Visa Application Fees

If you’re eyeing a business or tourism visitor visa or diving into non-immigrant visa applications for students and exchange visitors, get ready to dish out $185 instead of the previous $160. The US Department of State spilled the beans on this change on March 28. For our friends in India, seeking a US visa as a student means shelling out Rs 15,171 instead of the previous Rs 13,531, considering the current exchange rate. So, yeah, it’s a bit more expensive now. The American dream, it seems, comes with a slightly heftier price tag. On the other side, You can check direct flights to Kolkata from USA as it will provide multiple affordable options.

Additionally, the department has increased the cost of temporary worker visas. The fee for non-immigrant visas (for temporary workers) will rise from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, or treaty applicant in a specialty occupation (E category) will rise from $205 to $315. H (work visa), L (intra-company transferees), O (foreign nationals with exceptional knowledge in specific fields), P (performing athlete, artist, and entertainer), Q (international cultural exchange visitors), and R (religious works) are among the categories affected by the price increase.

“Other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency required fee for certain exchange visitors,” said the department. After conducting a cost-benefit analysis of these services, it also determined the non-immigrant visa fees. The department said that “it determines the annual cost of providing consular services, including visa services, using an activity-based costing methodology”. The authorities last updated the fees for the majority of non-petition-based visas in 2012. Additionally, they updated certain other fees in 2014. You can get cheap flight tickets to Chennai from USA as it will provide multiple affordable options.

Visa processing and fee increases

The increase in application fees for US visas surprises many prospective applicants. Given that processing times for these visas are becoming shorter. Premium processing fees have increased significantly for forms I-129, I-140, I-539, and I-765. The nonimmigrant worker visa application form I-129 costs $2,805 as part of a 12% increase in the premium processing fee. This sum is more than the previous $2,500. Form I-539 charges premium processing fees ranging from $1,750 to $1,965. In addition, the cost of Form I-765 has increased to $1,685 from $1,500. Visit Flyopedia.ca for your festive trip to India from Canada at very affordable flight offers.

Hike in F-1 Visa Application Fees

The F-1 visa helps people to pursue academic or even language studies at recognized US universities. This visa not only allows you to pursue your educational goals. But it also includes the promise of post-study optional practical training (OPT). It will serve as a bridge to real-world work experiences. The requirement that applicants for F, M, and J visas enter passport information when establishing their profiles and scheduling their visa appointments is another noteworthy change.

Even though US visa application fees are likely to rise, applications continue to rise. The US Mission processed a million visas from India alone in 2023, and it is expected that this figure will further increase in 2024.  As US visa processing times improve, an increasing number of people are realizing their American dream. Not only that but a lot of airlines, including Air India, are also speculating on a rise in travel by providing nonstop service to the United States. You can plan your trip using the current Indian Eagle flight deals and realize your American dream if we approve your US visa application. There are various cheap flights to Delhi from USA, which will make your journey more affordable and comfortable.

Also Read: US Embassy launches new regulations to Reduce US Visa Time for Indians