The cost of nonimmigrant visas will increase, according to the American Embassy in Ghana, starting on May 30, 2023.
The charge for B1/B2 visas for business and tourist travel, F visas for international students, J exchange guest visas, and other visa classes not needing a petition will rise to $185 (from $160), the document continued.
The charge will rise from $190 to $205 for petition-based nonimmigrant categories H, L, O, P, Q, and R.
The US Embassy said that all U.S. embassies and consulates will be subject to the fee hike, which was decided by the Department of State in Washington, D.C.
“Fees are increasing for new visa applications as of May 30, 2023,” it was further explained. This modification does not apply to applicants who pay the visa fee before May 30, 2023, and book an interview within 365 days of the date of payment.
“Applicants must simply schedule an appointment within 365 days; there is no requirement that the interview take place during that 365-day period.”
All visa fee payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days starting from the day a receipt for the fee payment is issued, according to the US Embassy.
The result is that it says “applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application within 365 days of paying the visa fee. There is no necessity for the interview to take place within those 365 days.
The Department of State’s consular activities are funded by fees collected for the consular services it provides, the Embassy said while describing the significance of the charges.
“Fees for nonimmigrant visas are set in accordance with the actual cost of delivering these services, as established following a cost evaluation of these services.”
“The Department of State only recovers the costs of providing these consular services, and nonimmigrant visa fee increases are based strictly on the results of this cost-of-service model.”