US Embassy announces increase in processing fees for non-immigrant visas

The United States Embassy in Guyana on Friday stated that the Department of State has recently announced the increase in processing fees for certain non-immigrant visa (NIV) applications.
With effect from May 30, 2023, the fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2), and other non-petition-based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from US$160 to US$185.
“The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicant in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from US$205 to US$315,” the US Embassy added.
Further, the Embassy added that other consular fees are not affected by this rule, including the waiver of the two-year residency fee required for certain exchange visitors.
Visa fees are calculated based on the results of an annual study of the cost of service. “The fees for most non-petition-based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last updated in 2014.”
Meanwhile, the release noted that visas for work and tourism are essential to President Biden’s foreign policy, and the US recognises the critical role international travel plays in the US economy. Fee information can be found on the US Embassy’s website at: https://gy.usembassy.gov/visas/nonimmigrant-visas/