The US Department of State announced yesterday that it would increase fees for most non-immigrant visa applications and border crossing cards from April 13, 2012.

“For a number of reasons, the current fees no longer cover the actual cost of processing nonimmigrant visas,” China’s Xinhua news agency reported, citing the department spokesperson as saying this in a statement.

“The non-immigrant visa fee increase will support the addition and expansion of overseas facilities, as well as additional staffing required to meet increased visa demand,” the department said.

In two weeks, applicants will have to pay US$20 more for tourist, business and student visas than the current US$140.

However, all immigrant visa processing fees will decrease. Immediate relatives will only pay US$230 for immigrant visa, US$100 less than the existing level.

- Bernama