Don’t be Caught Off Guard by New Visa Fees

The Department of State has announced that effective Sept. 12, 2014, certain fees for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories will change. DOS amends their visa fee schedule periodically in an effort to make the fees reflect the actual work that goes into various processes. DOS conducted a Cost of Service study that ran from April 2012 through July 2013 and the upcoming changes reflect the findings of that study.
Here’s what you need to know:
• All visa applicants must pay whatever fee amount is in effect on the day they pay – with one exception. Applicants paying Immigrant Visa application processing fees to the National Visa Center (NVC) should pay whatever fees are effective on the billing date, rather than the payment date.
• If you have already paid a fee prior to Sept. 12, 21014, and that fee is now decreasing, you will not be refunded the difference.
• If you paid your visa fee before Sept. 12, 2014, and your visa interview is on or before Dec. 11, 2014, you do not have to pay the difference if the fee is going up.
• If you paid your visa fee before Sept. 12, 2014, and your visa interview is on or after Dec. 11, 2014, you will be required to pay the difference if the fee is going up. There will be no exceptions to this.
So just what fees are impacted?

For more information regarding visa fees or to schedule a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys, please visit https://berardiimmigrationlaw.com/contact-immigration-lawyers.