The U.S. Department of State (”DOS”) published an interim final rule that raised the fees that U.S. consular posts charge for processing nonimmigrant visas. Prior to June 4 2010, the fee was $131 for all nonimmigrant visa categories. Under its new fee schedule, the DOS now charges varying fees depending on the visa classification sought.

The new, tiered fee structure was created to cover the higher unit costs for processing certain categories of nonimmigrant visas that tend to be more complicated and require a more in-depth consideration than other categories of nonimmigrant visas.

Therefore, effective June 4, the fee for business (B-1), tourist (B-2), student (F-1), and exchange visitor (J-1) visas was increased to $140. The visa application fee for temporary workers and trainees (H-1), intracompany transferees (L-1), extraordinary ability applicants (O-1), performers (P), cultural exchange participants (Q), and religious workers (R) increased to $150. The visa application fee for treaty traders (E-1) and treaty investors (E-2) increased to $390. The visa application fee for fiances of American citizens (K-1) increased to $350. All other visa categories will have bear the standard application fee of $140.

The new fee schedule is applicable to everyone applying for a visa on or after June 4, 2010. Applicants who have already paid the current visa application fee of $131 for appointments on or after June 4, 2010, will be required to pay the difference.

This interim final rule became effective on June 4, 2010. To read the entire post in the Federal Register, please click here.