DOS Increases Fees for Immigrant Visas, Passports, and Other Consular Services
On June 28, 2010, the Department of State (“DOS”) published an updated Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (the “Fee Schedule”) in the Federal Register.
We previously reported that DOS increased its fees for nonimmigrant visa processing on June 4, 2010. The Fee Schedule now implements fee increases for passports, immigrant visas and other consular services. The changes will take effect on July 13, 2010, 15 days after publication in the Federal Register.
The twenty-seven adjusted fees are based on a Cost of Service Study completed by the Bureau of Consular Affairs in June 2009. According to DOS, this study established the true cost of providing these consular services, which by law must be recovered through collection of fees.
The increased fees described in the Fee Schedule are as follows:
| NEW CONSULAR FEES EFFECTIVE JULY 13, 2010 | ||
| CURRENT FEE | NEW FEE | |
| Non-Immigrant Visa Fees* | ||
| Nonimmigrant visa application | $ 131.00 | $ 140.00 |
| 1. H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories | $ 131.00 | $ 150.00 |
| 2. E Visas | $ 131.00 | $ 390.00 |
| 3. K Visa | $ 131.00 | $ 350.00 |
| 4. BCC Adult | $ 131.00 | $ 140.00 |
| Immigrant Visa Fees | ||
| IV Application Processing Fee | ||
| 1. Family-based immigrant visa | $ 355.00 | $ 330.00 |
| 2. Employment-based immigrant visa | $ 355.00 | $ 720.00 |
| 3. Other immigrant visas (SIVs, DVs, etc.) | $ 355.00 | $ 305.00 |
| IV Security Surcharge | $ 45.00 | $ 74.00 |
| Diversity Visa Lottery surcharge | $ 375.00 | $ 440.00 |
| Domestic review of Affidavit of Support | $ 70.00 | $ 88.00 |
| Determining Returning Resident Status | $ 400.00 | $ 380.00 |
| Passport Fees | ||
| Passport Book – adult | $ 100.00** | $ 135.00** |
| Passport Book – minor | $ 85.00** | $ 105.00** |
| Passport Book Renewal – Adult | $ 75.00 | $ 110.00 |
| Additional passport visa pages | - | $ 82.00 |
| Passport Card – Adult | $ 45.00** | $ 55.00** |
| Passport Card – Child | $ 35.00** | $ 40.00** |
| Consular Report of Birth Abroad | $ 65.00 | $ 100.00 |
| Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship | - | $ 450.00 |
| File Search and Verification of U.S. Citizenship | $ 60.00 | $ 150.00 |
| Overseas Citizens Services | ||
| Disposition/Shipment of Remains of a non-U.S. Citizen | $265.00 + expenses | $200.00 + expenses |
| Documentary Services | ||
| Notarials, Certifications of True Copies, Authentications, provision of Department of State records | $ 30.00 (first), 20.00 (addt’l) |
$ 50.00 |
| Judicial Services | ||
| Processing Letters Rogatory & FSIA | $ 735.00 | $ 2,275.00 |
| Taking Depositions or Executing Commissions: | ||
| 1. Scheduling/Arranging Depositions | $ 475.00 | $ 1,283.00 |
| 2. Attending or Taking Depositions | $ 265.00/hr + expenses | $ 309.00/hr + expenses |
| 3. Swearing in Witnesses | $ 265.00/hr + expenses | $ 231.00/hr + expenses |
| 4. Supervising Telephone Depositions | $ 265.00/hr + expenses | $ 231.00/hr + expenses |
| 5. Providing Seal and Certification | $ 70.00 | $ 415.00 |
| Administrative Services | ||
| Consular Time Charges (per hour) | $ 265.00 | $ 231.00 |