DOS proposing fee increase for several consular fees for Nonimmigrant Visas, Border Crossing Cards (Mexican Nationals 15 and over) and J-1 waivers

The US Department of State (DOS) has published a new rule proposing to increase certain fees charges at US consular posts. The fee changes include increases for both non-petition and petition-based non-immigrant visas, as well as for border crossing cards and J-1 waivers filed at consulates.

Fees for non-petition visas – those applied for directly at consular posts and not requiring a prior US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) approval – would increase from $160 USD to $245 USD per application. This would include B-1/B-2 visitor, F-1 student, C and D crew and transit, I journalist visas. Mexican border crossing card applicants would see the same fee increase.

Petition-based visa applications with prior USCIS approval such as H-1B specialty occupation, L intracompany transferee, O extraordinary ability, P artist/athlete/entertainer, Q cultural exchange and R religious worker would see fees increase from the current $190 to $310.

E visas, which are not petition-based when an application is made directly to a consulate (though they can generally be done by petition to USCIS if the individual is in the US in valid nonimmigrant status) will increase form $the current $205 to $485.

J-1 waivers will see fees increase from $120 USD to $510 US.

The publication of the proposed rule will be followed by a 60-day public comment period before a final rule can be published putting the changes into force.