New consular visa fees to start June 4, 2010

The US Department of State announced new fees for visa applications, starting on June 4, 2010. The rule establishes a tiered structure with separate fees for different nonimmigrant visa categories. Examples of the new fees include:

• $140 fee for applicants for all visas that are not petition-based, including B1/B2 tourist and business visitor visas and all student and exchange visitor (F, M and J) visas, will pay a fee of $140.
• $150 fee for petition-based visas, including L, H, O, P, Q and R visas
• $350 for K-1 (fiancee) visas
• $390 for E visas.

See the web link here and press release here.

Fact Sheet for Military Naturalization Issed

USCIS has published a Fact Sheet about naturalization for members of the US military here.  The sheet reminds people that some requirements for citizenship are waived for members of the military, including the residence and physical presence requirements. Service members do not need to pay an application fee or a biometrics fee to apply for naturalization. In addition, service members who serve during specifically designated periods of hostilities may not need to be lawful permanent residents.

For more information about naturalization as a current of former member of the military, see my prior blog postings here