The Department of State published its new Schedule of Fees for Consular Services in the Federal Register on June 28, 2010. The changes to the schedule, which include fees for the passport, immigrant visa and other consular services, were implemented on Monday.
In general, the new fees are due in full for any services provided on or after July 13, 2010. For instance, if a customer submits his/her application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or CRBA, on July 13, 2010 (day of implementation), he/she must pay the fee due on that day ($100). In contrast, if an applicant submits his/her CRBA application and fee payment on July 12, 2010 (day before implementation), he/she need only pay the fee valid on that date ($65).
With regards to immigrant visa cases, payment rules are as follows: Applicants who receive bills from the NVC that are dated after July 13 must pay the new processing fees. Fees paid at the Embassy or to NVC prior to the publication of the final rule are considered paid in full at the current rate, and these applicants will not be required to pay additional fees to cover the difference between the current and new fees. Applicants already billed by NVC prior to July 13, 2010 will only pay the fees billed, regardless of whether they pay before or after the new fees are implemented. If applicants paid their visa application processing fees before March 2005, they will be required to pay the security surcharge.
For further information, visit this link: http://travel.state.gov/news/news_5078.html.
