THE United States (U.S.) Department of State has announced adjustment in its embassy visa processing fees effective from April 13, 2012.

According to a statement by the Information Office, Public affairs Section of U.S. Consulate General, the fees for most non-immigrant visa applications and Border Crossing Cards will increase, while all immigrant visa processing fees will decrease.

“For a number of reasons, the current fees no longer cover the actual cost of processing non-immigrant visas.  The non-immigrant visa fee increase will support the addition and expansion of overseas facilities, as well as additional staffing required to meet increased visa demand,” the statement said.

Although most categories of non-immigrant visa processing fees will increase, the fee for E visas (treaty-traders and treaty-investors) and K visas (for fiancé (e) s of U.S. citizens will decrease.

Meanwhile, Tourist, Business, Transit, Crew Member, Student, Exchange Visitor, and Journalist visa, which are currently $140, will be $160 from April 13.

Petition-Based visas (H, L, O, P, Q, and R), which costs $150, will be $160 while Treaty Investor and Trader visas (E) which attracts $390 is now changed to $270.

As earlier indicated, fiancé (e) visas (K) costing $350 has now been changed to $240 while Border Crossing Cards (age 15 and older), which attracts $140, will cost $160 from same date. Border Crossing Cards (under age 15) from $14 has increased to $15.

However, Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications reduced from $330   to $230; Employment-Based Applications changed from $405 to $720.

Other Immigrant Visa Applications moved $305 to  $220; Diversity Visa Programme Fee is slashed from $440  to $330 and Determining Returning Resident Status  is also reduced from $380  to $275.

The proposed fees were published in the Federal Register yesterday. The statement advised visa applicants to view the interim final rule, at www.regulations.gov.  It also indicated that comments would be accepted until 60 days after publication.

Meanwhile, the US Consul General in Lagos, Joseph Strafford has said that the US would continue to provide medical services to empower the people at the grassroots in Nigeria.

Speaking during the opening of Victoria Medical Clinic Tomaro Island, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State, he said the US Embassy would remain in touch with traditional rulers and the local government officials to meet the needs of the people in communities.

He said the clinic which was donated by the US Embassy in Lagos together with other volunteers, was part of the efforts to develop and strengthen partnership between Nigeria and the US.

“Most of our programmes nationwide are now in the area of public health, like combating HIV-AIDS and so on. We are determined to meet the medical needs of the people and we look forward to continue cooperation in the spirit of partnership and goodwill,” he said.

-Guardian

Posted by admin on Mar 31 2012. Filed under American Politics, Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry