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Here comes big news from the USA that the processing fees for non-immigrant visas (students & exchange visitors), as well as visitor visas (for business or tourism), are increasing from ₹ 13,138 to ₹ 15,190 ($160-$185) in the United States.
Beginning on May 30, there will be a new increase in visa processing fees. However, people who previously paid a visa application cost that is now valid & non-expired but hasn't yet appeared for their visa interview or are waiting for processing will not be charged any extra fees. Moreover, this increase in prices does not apply to consular fees or the waiver of the 2-year residency requirement fee for specific exchange travellers to the United States.
Business travellers, tourists, NIV students, temporary workers ($190-$205), E-category visa applicants ($205-$315), and those who fall under the categories H, L, O, P, Q, & R. Whatever the exchange rate is at the time of application will determine the precise amount of the visa service charges in Indian rupees.
After 1st October 2022, all fee payments will be good for 1 year (365 days) from the receipt date. Within this window, applicants must either arrange an interview date or submit an application for an interview waiver.
The interview does not have to take place inside the 365-day window, though. The cost of travelling to the US may increase as a result of these changes, particularly for those applying for specialty profession visas or temporary work visas.
Revised visa cost applicable from 30 May 2023:
- Tourism and business (B1 & B2 categories) visitor visa, non-petition-based non-immigrant visas:
Earlier INR 13,104 and from 30th May it will be INR 15,151.
- NIVs for temporary employees based on petitions (H, L, O, P, Q, R):
Earlier INR 15,561 and from 30th May it will be INR 16,789.
- Treaty investors, dealers, and job seekers with a specialty occupation (E category):
Earlier INR 16,789 and from 30th May it will be INR 25,798.
The US has made significant efforts in recent months to shorten the wait for visas. An earlier senior official claimed that this year, the wait time in India for US visitors seeking visa interviews has decreased by 60%. One of the few nations, India, reported a significant increase in US visa applications when the travel ban caused by the coronavirus was lifted.
Concerns about the lengthy wait times for first-time visa applicants, particularly those applying under the B1 (business) & B2 (tourist) categories, have grown in India. In October of last year, the wait time for first-time B1/B2 visa applications in India was almost a thousand days.
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