Bukidnon Online is posting this public service announcement since we know a lot of our readers want to apply for US visas. There are now new U.S. visa fees starting April 13, 2012.

According to the US Embassy Manila, new visa fees will take effect for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas to the United States. Fees for all immigrant visas, as well as those for fiancé/fianceé visas and trader/investor visas, will decrease. Fees for some non-immigrant visas will increase, including tourist, business visas, and student visas.

The reduction in the immigrant visa fees is due to a new U.S. law that allows the U.S. Department of State to seek reimbursement from other federal agencies such as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service.

U.S. embassies must collect higher fees for tourist and other types of nonimmigrant visas because U.S. law requires the Department of State to recover the costs of processing those types of visas. The new visa fees more accurately reflect the costs of visa processing services as determined in a U.S. government study completed last December.

Visa application fees paid before April 13 at the prior rate will be honored through July 12, 2012. Starting on July 13, 2012, applicants who had paid application fees at a prior rate will have to pay the difference between the prior rate and the new rate. For visa categories that have reduced fees effective April 13, no refunds will be given to those who paid the fees before the effective date.

For more information, please visit the US Embassy Manila website

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