US Raises Non-Immigrant Visa Fees by Up to Ksh15,000
The United States Department of State announced an increase in fees for various categories of Visa applications on Wednesday, May 3.
The US Embassy in Kenya announced in a statement that the new fees, which represent an increase of up to Ksh15,000 (USD110), will go into effect on May 30, 2023.
The United States announced that the fee for business, tourism, and student visitor visas would increase from Ksh21,800 to Ksh25,206 (USD 160 to USD 185).
In addition, the administration of President Joe Biden increased visa fees for temporary workers from Ksh25,887 to Ksh27,931.
When the US increased the visa fee from Ksh27,931 to Ksh42,031, however, treaty traders, treaty investors, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation were the hardest hit.
However, the United States indicated that those who had previously applied for visas would not be subject to the new visa fee reviews.
“Those who have already paid the existing, lower NIV fee will not be required to pay the difference when the fee increases on May 30, 2023.
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All NIV fee payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for one year, according to the US Embassy.
“Receipts for NIV fees paid before October 1, 2022, will remain valid until September 30, 2023,” the document continued.
The United States attributed the increase to the rising input costs associated with the provision of consular services worldwide.
In addition to increasing visa fees for certain travelers, the US Embassy has pledged to expedite the approval process to meet rising demand.
“US Embassy Nairobi continues its concerted efforts to meet the demand for visa services,” according to the statement.
In November of 2022, the US Embassy will announce plans to reduce the visa waiting period from two years to two or three months.
Deborah Miller, Consul General-Head of the Visa Section at the US Embassy in Kenya, stated, “No one can defend the long wait for visas; it was an indefensible length of time, but we have taken concrete steps to address the issue by extending interviewing hours and scheduled appointments.”
US Raises Non-Immigrant Visa Fees by Up to Ksh15,000
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