The Department of State (“DOS”) published its updated fee schedule for Consular Services – Nonimmigrant and Special Visa Fees. Beginning May 30, 2023, there will be an increase in fees charged for nonimmigrant visas (“NIVs”) and border crossing cards (“BCCs”). The good news is that the fee increases are less than “originally proposed for all categories of NIVs.”
Read morePhysical Presence in Country of Application Required when Mailing in Visa Applications
US Embassies and Consulates are staffed with Foreign Service Officers who are responsible for visa processing. The Foreign Affairs Manual (“FAM”) and associated Handbooks (FAHs) are “a single, comprehensive, and authoritative source for the Department's organization structures, policies, and procedures that govern the operations of the State Department, the Foreign Service and, when applicable, other federal agencies.” The FAM contains general policy, whilst the FAH outlines procedures. In unison, the FAM and FAH provide codified information to officers and local staff to carry out their duties “in accordance with statutory, executive and Department mandates.”
Read moreUS Embassies/Consulates To Begin Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services
After suspending routine visa services at US Embassies/Consulates worldwide in March due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the US Department of State (DOS) announced this week that US Embassies and Consulates abroad will begin the phased resumption of routine visa services with some posts reopening for limited routine visa services as of July 15, 2020. The resumption of routine visa services will occur on a post-by-post basis, the DOS said, and each post will coordinate with the “Department’s Diplomacy Strong framework for safely returning our workforce to Department facilities.”
Read more