VISA CHARGES:THE FEES for many categories of US visa go up from next week, the result of a weakening euro and a decision by the US authorities to align charges more closely to the work involved in processing applications.
Although most Irish holidaymakers can avail of the visa waiver programme for travel to the US, the American embassy in Dublin issued well over 20,000 visas last year, up 10 per cent on 2008. At least some of these applicants are going to find the cost of obtaining a visa is increasing by as much as 200 per cent from June 4th.
Since 2008, the embassy has charged a flat fee of $131 for a variety of non-immigrant visa applications. This is being replaced by a tiered fee structure ranging from $140 (€115) to $390 (€320) according to visa type. The increase for Irish applicants is even steeper because the exchange rate applied to all consular services is being revised to 82c for $1.
“The new fees are more reflective of the time we actually spend on cases,” says Jennifer Duval, consular officer at the embassy. The US administration is also anxious that its massive immigration operation pays its own way.
The good news for students is that fees for the popular J1 work visa are going up by the smallest amount, to $140 (€115). Also included in this category of fee rise are B1/B2 visitor visas for business or tourism and all students or exchange visitor visas (categories F, M and J).
Duval says this is an ideal time for students to consider applying for the 12-month J1 internship programme, which is not subject to an upper limit on applications.
Petition-based visas such as those required by temporary workers and trainees (H), intra-company transferees (L), “aliens with extraordinary ability” (O), athletes, artists and entertainers (P), international cultural exchange visitors (Q), and religious occupations (R) see fees rise to $150 (€123). The biggest fee increases are for immigrating investors (E), which go up to $390/€320, and the fiancé (K) category, which will cost a whopping $350/€287.
The fee hikes apply to all applications made after June 4th, regardless of when a visa appointment was made. Exact amounts are required, by bank draft or money order.
Despite the increase in fees, Duval maintains the cost of obtaining a US visa is still cheaper than many other countries.
Most Irish visitors do not require visas for a short trip to Canada or Australia, but a single entry visa for Canada costs Cad$75 (€58), or Cad$150 (€115) for a multiple entry document. A student permit costs Cad$125 (€97). As for Australia, a tourist visa costs Aus$105 (€72) and a working holiday visa Aus$230 (€158). A prospective marriage/partner visa costs Aus$1,705 (€1,171).
While we’re at it, a single entry visa for Ireland costs €60, a multiple-entry visa €100 and a transit visa a sneaky €25.
According to Duval, the relatively new ESTA visa waiver system is working well, aside from problems arising when travellers fail to apply for the waiver until they reach the airport. Where problems arise, even if venal, they cannot fly. Would-be travellers to the US are advised to apply online for the waiver at least two weeks before their flight date.