US hikes visa fees for Indians

The United States' consular sections in India on Friday announced a hike in their service fees following recent depreciation in rupee value against the dollar.

Effective from November 16, the exchange rate would be adjusted from Rs 44 to Rs 46 to the dollar, consular sources said.

Following this, the revised fee for non-immigrant visa application fee would be Rs 4,600 ($100) and the visa issuance fee Rs 2,300 ($50), the sources said.

The visa issuance fee, however, would exclude students, exchange visitors, transit and crewmen.

The L-1 (fraud prevention fees for blanket petitions) would be Rs 23,000 ($500), immigrant visa fee Rs 15,410 ($335) and returning resident visa application fee Rs 18,400 ($400), the sources added.

Sources said the exchange rate was subject to future change.