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State Department raises worldwide nonimmigrant visa fee - 10.29.02
Author: Matthew S. Raynes
Effective November 1, 2002, the U.S. State Department raised the Machine Readable Visa or èMRV fee charged for nonimmigrant processing from $65 to $100. Click here for State Department guidance on this increase. The State Department has justified the fee increase based on the cost of additional border security measures following the events of September 11, 2001.
The $100 MRV fee is distinct from and in addition to any èreciprocity fee, which varies depending on the applicants country of citizenship. Click here for Reciprocity Table. For example, currently, citizens of Mexico applying for H-1B visas must pay the $100 MRV fee and a reciprocity fee of $100. As the name implies, the reciprocity fee reflects a balancing act between the United States and the country in question. As Mexico charges U.S. citizens for some nonimmigrant visas, the U.S. does likewise. In the guidance referenced above, the State Department has signaled its intent to reduce certain reciprocity fees so that the combined fee total for some countries will remain the same.
The $35 (54%) increase is the second in five months. Effective June 1, 2002, the State Department raised the MRV fee from $45 to $65. Nonimmigrant visa applicants should budget for the new fee, and any reciprocity fee which may apply based on their country of origin.
Please contact Matthew S. Raynes, mraynes@eatonpeabody.com, for further information.
This paper is provided as general information, and is not a substitute for legal or other professional advice.
Effective November 1, 2002, the U.S. State Department raised the Machine Readable Visa or èMRV fee charged for nonimmigrant processing from $65 to $100. Click here for State Department guidance on this increase. The State Department has justified the fee increase based on the cost of additional border security measures following the events of September 11, 2001.
The $100 MRV fee is distinct from and in addition to any èreciprocity fee, which varies depending on the applicants country of citizenship. Click here for Reciprocity Table. For example, currently, citizens of Mexico applying for H-1B visas must pay the $100 MRV fee and a reciprocity fee of $100. As the name implies, the reciprocity fee reflects a balancing act between the United States and the country in question. As Mexico charges U.S. citizens for some nonimmigrant visas, the U.S. does likewise. In the guidance referenced above, the State Department has signaled its intent to reduce certain reciprocity fees so that the combined fee total for some countries will remain the same.
The $35 (54%) increase is the second in five months. Effective June 1, 2002, the State Department raised the MRV fee from $45 to $65. Nonimmigrant visa applicants should budget for the new fee, and any reciprocity fee which may apply based on their country of origin.
Please contact Matthew S. Raynes, mraynes@eatonpeabody.com, for further information.
This paper is provided as general information, and is not a substitute for legal or other professional advice.
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