The Hindu Business Line : US scraps visa issuance fee for students

THE US Embassy and its consular sections in the country will not collect issuance fees for student, exchange visitors, transit and crewman visas issued to Indian nationals from October 11 this year.

In a statement, the US Embassy has said that fees for issuing other visitor and business visas will drop from $75 per visa to $50 per visa. At the same time, an adjustment to the consular exchange rate used will further reduce all rupee denominated costs of applying for visas and passports at the US Embassy and Consulate-Generals.

However, the statement says the non-refundable $100 non-immigrant visa application fee is not being eliminated and must still be paid for all visa applications that currently require the payment of an application fee, including applications for students, exchange visitors, transit and crewman visa and most other non-immigrant visa.

In addition to the visa issuance fee charges, the US consular sections are also adjusting the exchange rate used for consular transaction from Rs 49 to Rs 46 to the US dollar. The $100 visa application fee will require a bank draft of Rs 4,600 payable to the US Embassy or Consulate-General where the person is applying from October 11.Besides, applicants for visas that still require an issuance fee should also submit a second draft made out to the Embassy or Consulate-General for Rs 2,300 to cover the $50 issuance fee. Applicants for student, exchange visitors, transit and crewman visas no longer need to submit this second bank draft. The Embassy statement adds that the exchange rate is subject to further change.

The October 11 adjustment in exchange rate will lower the rupee price of all consular transactions including services for American citizens. US passport applications for children under 16 will decrease to Rs 3,220 and adult passport renewal applications will cost Rs 2,530, while first time adult passport applicants will pay Rs 3,910. A single notary seal will cost Rs 1,380.

The fee reduction announced today are being made to bring US visa fees in line with the $150 visa fee charged to US citizens by the Indian Government. Further information on US visa and consular services is available on http://newdelhi.usembassy.gov

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