By Clifford Okyere
Effective May 30, 2023, the United States Embassy in Accra has announced an increase in fees for nonimmigrant visas, including B1/B2 visas for business and tourist travel, F visas for international students, J exchange visitor visas, and other visa classes not requiring a petition, to $185 from the current $160. Meanwhile, petition-based nonimmigrant categories (H, L, O, P, Q, and R) will increase to $205 from $190.
According to the embassy, the fee increase has been established by the Department of State in Washington, D.C., and will apply equally at all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide.
However, the US Embassy has clarified that the fee hike will only affect new visa applications made on or after May 30, 2023, and that applicants who pay the visa fee before that date and schedule an interview within 365 days of payment are not affected by the change.
The Embassy advises applicants to schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application within 365 days of paying the visa fee, even though there is no requirement for the interview to occur during that 365-day period.
The US Embassy emphasised that the nonimmigrant visa fee increases are based solely on the results of the cost-of-service model, and the Department of State recovers only the costs of providing consular services, such as determining the actual cost of providing these services.
Furthermore, all visa fee payments made on or after October 1, 2022, will be valid for 365 days from the date of issuance of the receipt for payment of the fee, according to the embassy.