MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Getting a non-immigrant visa for the United States will become more expensive starting June 17, according to the US Embassy in Manila.
The Consul General of the US Embassy in Manila, Mark McGovern, said on Thursday that the application fee for visas that includes temporary business or tourism and other non-petition based non-immigrant visas, such as student and exchange visitor visas would increase from $160 to $185.
The fee increase was supposed to take effect on May 30 but was deferred to June 17.
“The reality is there has been no increase in the visa fees since 2011. That was the last time an increase was done. And all of the fees we do for the visas are based on a cost of service study,” McGovern stated during a news conference at the US Embassy.
He also noted that the price increase would affect the Philippines and other countries around the globe with US embassies.
“We have to bring American citizens. We pay for them to be here. We have increases in salaries for our local staff. The increase in operating our facilities. The increase in shipping over visa foils. All these prices have gone up. The cost of service study that we have done on a global scale for regular visas brings it to about $185 per visa,” he added.
Among many considerations from McGovern are the costs of building and maintaining their facilities, staffing their operations, and providing people with secure and reliable visa documents.
The price increase may also affect those seeking certain petition-based non-immigrant visas for temporary workers, which will increase from $190 to $205.
Visa applications for treaty traders and investors will also increase from $205 to $315.
McGovern has also said that he hopes to avoid seeing any more hikes in the future for visa applications. – WhatALife!/Zain
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