Study Abroad in US: Hike in Visa Fee for Overseas Students

Planning to move to the United States, for higher education? Well, it is now costlier than you have heard before. As announced by the US State Department, new changes have been made where the fee for application has increased. From 30th May 2023, the processing fee for non-immigrant visas will be increased. Additionally, these visas include exchange visitor visas, tourist/visitor visas, business visas, and student visas. 

Further, there will be an increase from $160 to $185 (INR 13,100 to INR 15,150) for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2) and other non-petition-based NIVs such as student/exchange visitor visas. Basically, now Indian students have to pay (INR 15,140) for the application. Henceforth, there is a hike of $25 (INR 2,048)  for all applicable fees for the mentioned categories. 

Despite this, the state department has mentioned that other counsellor fees including the waiver on the 2-year residency fee for exchange visitors remain unchanged. Also, the processing fee for those who have applied for their visas on or after October 1, 2022, will remain valid till September 30, 2023. 

Other Changes by US State Department

The US State Department has made some other changes as well. There is also a change in the fee for petition-based nonimmigrant visas. And this change is only for the temporary workers (H,L,O,P,Q and R categories). Additionally, the fee increased from $190 to $205. Moreover, the visa fee for treaty applicants, treaty traders and treaty investors is also increasing. It is increasing from $205 to $315 (INR 16794 to INR 25,806). 

Furthermore, more and more Indian students are flying to the US to pursue higher education. The number of students is increasing every year. Interestingly, a record number of students flew to the United States for studies in the year 2022. As per the trend in 2022, approximately, 1.22 lakh student visa applications have been processed. 

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