The Department of State (DOS) announced a proposed rule, effective September 6, to change several filing fees for visa applications and other consular services.
The most significant change is the administrative processing fee for formal renunciation of U.S. citizenship is increasing 422%, from $450 to $2350. DOS says that demand for this service has increased dramatically in the past few years, almost certainly in relation to IRS initiatives and new laws to collect taxes from citizens outside the U.S.
Overall, the costs of family based visa applications is increasing. The proposed fee for immigrant visa applications based on family relationships will increase $95, from $230 to $325. The affidavit of support review fee is rising from $88 to $120. Similar K visa applications for fiancee and family reunification are rising $25, from $240 to $265. These fees are in addition to the fees paid to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for the initial stages of the application process.
Some application costs will be decreasing. For example, the fee for an E visa Treaty-Trader or Treaty Investor visa is dropping $65, from $270 to $205.
The fees are all proposed, and comments can be sent to fees@state.gov. The comment period is open until at least October 21st.
For the full published Federal Register notice, visit https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2014-08-28/pdf/2014-20516.pdf.