New rates for US visas of all categories can be found in a special section of the US State Department website.
The US State Department explained the need to increase fees by increased costs associated with issuing visas. Earlier, the State Department stated that the old consular fee of $131 was lower than the actual cost of processing a visa.
In addition, some categories of visa applications require more complex and in-depth review and additional checks, the statement says. 'These are visas for foreigners with extraordinary abilities, athletes, artists and entertainment industry workers, temporary workers and clergy entering the US. For them, the consular fee will be increased to $150. The cost of the so-called fiancée visa will be $350,' the US State Department notes.
The previous time the US raised visa fees was in January 2008. At that time, US visas became more expensive by more than 30 percent.
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