The United States Embassy has announced an increase in visa application fee worldwide due to increased demand.
In a press release on Wednesday May 3, the US department of state said that visa fee for Non-Immigrant Visas (NIV) is set to increase from May 30.
"Visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s) and other categories, such as student (F) and exchange visitor visas (J), will increase from Sh21,792 to Sh25,197.
The fee for certain petition-based non immigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from Sh25,878 to Sh27,921.
The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from Sh27,921 to Sh42,918," the statement read in part.
The department stated that it had revised the cost schedule for consular fees (charges for visa and other international documents) after evaluating similar costs around the world.
It has further attributed the increased fee to the rising cost of input associated with the services provided by the consular section around the world.
However, individuals who already paid the existing lower fee for NIV will not have to pay more even after the increase takes on effect.
"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. U.S.
Embassy Nairobi continues its concerted efforts to meet the demand for visa services," it stated.
