Source: newsthemegh.com
From the end of May 2023, travelers to the United States would have to pay more for visas.
According to a press release from the American embassy in Accra, starting on May 30, 2023, “the fee for B1/B2 visas for business and tourist travel, F visas for international students, J exchange visitor visas, and other visa classes not requiring a petition will increase to $185 (from $160)”.
The charge will rise from $190 to $205 for petition-based nonimmigrant categories H, L, O, P, Q, and R.
The Department of State in Washington, D.C., according to the embassy, set the fee increase, which will be applied uniformly at all consulates and embassies of the United States around the world.
“Only as of May 30, 2023, fees are increasing for fresh visa applications. This change does not apply to applicants who pay the visa cost before May 30, 2023 and schedule an interview within 365 days of the date payment is made, the statement clarified.
According to the embassy, “there is no requirement that the interview actually take place within that 365-day period; applicants must just take the step of scheduling an appointment within 365 days.”
All visa fee payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are stated to be valid for 365 days starting on the day a receipt for the fee payment is issued.
There is no need that the interview take place within that 365-day window, according to the embassy, which stated that “applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application within 365 days of paying the visa fee.”
The Department of State’s consular activities, according to the embassy, “are funded by fees collected for the consular services it provides.”
Non-immigrant visa costs are established in accordance with the actual cost of delivering these services, as assessed following the completion of a cost-of-services analysis.
According to the Department of State, “Non-immigrant visa fee increases are based strictly on the results of this cost-of-service model, and the Department of State only recovers the costs of providing these consular services.”