Come january 1, a US visa will cost $31 more - the fee goes up from the existing $100 to $131.
In a statement, the US Embassy encouraged all applicants currently holding a machinereadable visa (MRV) application fee receipt, but who had not yet scheduled their visa appointment to do so immediately, as the $100 receipts expire on January 31. Receipts purchased after January 1, 2008, regardless of the interview date, will be at the new rate - $131. "Visa applicants who paid the $100 application fee and who appear for an interview after January 31, 2008 will be required to bring a non-refundable demand draft for the $31 difference in fee," the release said.
The fee adjustment is the first since 2002. "The increase in the visa fee correlates with domestic inflation in India since the last increase in 2002, the fact the visa fee is rendered less expensive in real terms by the recent appreciation of the rupee, and the elimination of the $50 reciprocal visa issuance fee in 2006."
From: Hindustan Times, Dec-15-2007
