United States Government Announces Changes to Consular Services Fees

The United States Government wishes to inform applicants that effective July 13, 2010, fees for various consular services will change. The new fees will cover actual operating expenses for the U.S. Government’s network of 301 consular posts abroad, 23 domestic passport agencies, and other centers that provide consular services to both U.S and foreign citizens.

The Department is increasing most immigrant visa (IV) processing fees based on results of the cost of service study and also establishing multiple fees. Under the new schedule of fees, IV applicants will pay:  $330 for immediate relative and family preference cases; $720 for employment-based cases; and $305 for other categories (including Diversity Visa, SE category special immigrant, and self-petitioner cases). Additionally, the IV security surcharge, paid by all non-fee-exempt applicants, will increase from $45 to $74.  The Diversity Visa (DV) surcharge will increase from $375 to $440.  The fee for Affidavit of Support (I-864) Review will increase from $70 to $88.  The fee for determining Returning Resident Status will decrease from $400 to $380. All Applicants who receive bills from the National Visa Center (NVC) dated after July 13 must pay the new processing fees.

Fees paid at U.S. Embassies and Consulates or to NVC prior to the publication of the final rule are considered paid in full at the current rate, and these applicants will not be required to pay additional fees to cover the difference between the current and new fees. Fees billed by NVC prior to July 13, 2010 will be considered paid in full at the current rates, and these applicants will not be billed at a later date for additional fees to cover the difference between the current and new fee rates, regardless of when they pay.

The total charge for a first-time passport book for an adult, including the application fee, security surcharge and execution fee, will increase from $100 to $135.  The total charge for an adult passport book renewal, including the application fee and security surcharge, will increase from $75 to $110.  The total charge for a minor passport book (age 16 and under), including the application fee, security surcharge and execution fee, will increase from $85 to $105.  There will also be an increase in the fee of Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States from $65 to $100. Also, providing notarial services has increased from $30 to $50 for the first service; each additional seal has increased from $20 to $50. Also, providing a seal and certification of deposits has increased from $70 to $415.

Some fees have decreased though. The fee for determining returning resident status of a U.S. lawful permanent resident has decreased from $400 to $380. Also, while the immigrant visa application processing fee for employment-based applications has increased from $355 to $720, the fees for immediate relative and family preference applications have decreased from $355 to $330, and the processing for all other immigrant visa classes has decreased from $355 to $305.

Embassy of the United States of America, Public Affairs Office, Freetown, Sierra Leone

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