The US government has announced an increase in visa application fees starting May 30, 2023.
In a statement on Wednesday, May 3, the US Embassy in Kenya stated that visitor visas for business, tourism, and students would increase from Ksh 21,808 to Ksh 25,215 ($160 to $185)
“The United States Department of State has updated the cost schedule for consular fees after a review of costs associated with visa and other services around the world. As of May 30, 2023, visa fees will be increasing for certain nonimmigrant visas. Visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s) and other categories, such as student (F) and exchange visitor visas (J), will increase from $160 to $185,” read the statement in part.
The embassy also noted that visa fees for temporary workers will increase from Ksh 25, 897 to Ksh 27,941 ($190 to $205) while those of treaty investors, treaty traders and treaty applicants would increase from Ksh 25,897to Ksh 42,934($205 to $315).
“The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315. The slight increases to the costs of some fees reflects the rising cost of the inputs associated with the services provided by consular sections around the world,” the statement added.
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The US embassy however stated that individuals who had already for the visas will not have to pay the new charges.
“Individuals who already paid the existing, lower NIV fee will not have to pay the difference once the fee increases on May 30, 2023. All NIV fee payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days. Receipts for NIV fees paid prior to October 1, 2022, will continue to be valid until September 30, 2023,” the US Embassy stated.
