Consular Fee Adjustments
Freetown September 3, 2014 – FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE – Effective September 12, 2014, the Department of State will adjust processing fees for some consular services. The fees for most categories of immigrant visas will change, while fees for nonimmigrant visas largely remain the same. This fee adjustment will take place at consular sections worldwide. The Department seeks to recover the cost of providing consular services by the collection of consular fees. The Department regularly reviews costs and adjusts fees to reflect the cost of service.
Although most nonimmigrant visa processing fees remain the same, the fee for K visas (fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens) will increase. Also, the fee for family-sponsored immigrant visas will increase as will the fee for domestic review of an Affidavit of Support. All other immigrant and special visa processing fees that are changing will decrease.
All applicants will continue to be charged the fee in effect on the day of payment. For immigrant visa fees, the fee charged to an applicant will be the fee printed on the fee bill the applicant receives from the National Visa Center. Nonimmigrant visa applicants paying at the Embassy will pay the fee valid on the date of their appointment. In categories where fees are declining, no refunds will be available for those who paid prior to the effective date; however, both Immigrant and Nonimmigrant visa application receipts are valid for one year from the date of issuance.
Documenting a U.S. citizen’s renunciation of citizenship is costly, requiring U.S. consular officers overseas to spend substantial amounts of time to accept, process, and adjudicate cases. The fee for processing renunciation of citizenship is now reflective of the true cost.
For further information regarding consular services at the Embassy of the United States of American in Freetown, please visit our website: http://freetown.usembassy.gov. Fee information may also be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website and on http://travel.state.gov
| Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees | ||
| Type of Visa | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Treaty Investor and Trader visas (E) | $270 | $205 |
| Fiancé(e) visas (K) | $240 | $265 |
| Border Crossing Card (under age 15) | $15 | $16 |
| Immigrant Visa Processing Fees | ||
| Type of Visa | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications | $230 | $325 |
| Employment-Based Applications | $405 | $345 |
| Other Immigrant Visa Applications | $220 | $205 |
| Determining Returning Resident Status | $275 | $180 |
| Waiver of Two-Year Residency Requirement | $215 | $120 |
| Affidavit of Support Review (only when reviewed domestically) | $88 | $120 |
| Citizens’ and Administrative Services | ||
| Type of Service | Previous Fee | New Fee |
| Renunciation of Citizenship | $450 | $2,350 |
| Charge for Consular Time (for fee services performed outside of normal business hours or away from the office) | $231 | $135 |
Embassy of the United States of America, Public Affairs Office
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