The US Embassy has announced an increase in visa fees worldwide from US$160 to US$185 effective May 30, 2023.

The statement from the embassy on May 4, 2023, detailed that “fees for U.S. nonimmigrant visas will increase worldwide 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 US$185 (from US$160).”

It further went on to say that “for petition-based non immigrant categories (H, L, O, P, Q, and R), the fee will increase to US$205 (from US$190). This fee increase is established by the Department of State in Washington, D.C., and will take effect equally at all U.S. embassies and consulates around the world,” it added.

However, individuals who apply for a visa on or after  May 30, 2023, will be required to pay the new, higher fees. It does not affect applications submitted before that date.

“Fees are increasing for new visa applications as of May 30, 2023 only." Applicants who pay the visa fee before May 30, 2023, and schedule an interview within 365 days of the day payment is made are not affected by this change.

There is no requirement for the interview to actually occur during that 365-day period; applicants must just take the step of scheduling an appointment within 365 days.

From October 1, 2022, visa fee payments will be valid for 365 days from the date of payment receipt. Within this period, applicants are required to either schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application.

However, there is no requirement that the actual interview take place within this 365-day period.

So, applicants have one year to schedule an interview or submit an interview waiver application after paying the visa fee, according to the Embassy.

It also added that “The Department of State’s consular operations are funded by fees collected for the consular services it provides."

Nonimmigrant visa fees are set based on the actual cost of providing these services, as determined after conducting a study of the cost of these services.

"Nonimmigrant 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,” the embassy said in the statement.