US visa fees now cost 50% more
WASHINGTON: The US State Department announced that it will raise the fee charged for all non-immigrant US visas by more than 50% to cover costs associated with increased security checks instituted after the Sept11 terrorists attacks.
Effective Nov 1, the fee for non-immigrant visas will rise from US$65 (RM247) to US$100 (RM380) or 53.8% it said, citing a “critical revenue shortfall.’’
“This adjustment will bring the fee into line with the actual costs of administering non-immigrant visas services,’’ the department said in a statement.
The current fee does not generate enough money to cover the cost of the new security procedures, which include additional screening, restrictions on the role non-US citizen embassy employees can play in visa processing and greater management oversight, it said.
In Putrajaya, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar said the matter was a domestic affair and the United States had every right to implement the move.
He said Malaysia was not surprised with Washington’s decision because it had spent so much to beef up security after the attacks.
“We have to accept the decision of the US government. They have increased their spending on surveillance and training their personnel for security purposes. Definitely it will involve a lot of money.
“Of course it does not help for people like students. It will affect countries that have sent many students there. For businessmen, it will be additional cost.
“Before this it was easier to enter the US, especially for tourists. They may have to look at other destinations,” he said.
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