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    Consular Processing Fees Change

    Consular Processing Fees Change on 6 September 2014

    Consular processing fees are changing as of 6 September 2014! The greatest increase (there are a few fees that are being lowered) is the fee for applications for the Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship. The current fee is $450 but as of 6 September the fee skyrockets to $2350 (!), a 422% increase.

    As the number of renunciation applications has doubled in the past year – from approximately 1500 to just over 3000 world-wide - the consular office workload has significantly gone up. The former fee covered approximately only a quarter of the actual cost of processing this type of application. The Department of State cites the following as reasons for the increase:

    Consular officers must confirm that the potential renunciant fully understands the consequences of renunciation, including losing the right to reside in the United States without documentation as an alien.  Other steps include verifying that the renunciant is a U.S. citizen, conducting a minimum of two intensive interviews with the potential renunciant, and reviewing at least three consular systems before administering the oath of renunciation.  The final approval of the loss of nationality must be done by law within the Directorate of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, D.C., after which the case is returned to the consular officer overseas for final delivery of the Certificate of Loss of Nationality to the renunciant.  These steps further add to the time and labor that must be involved in the process.  Department of State, 22 CFR Part 22, [Public Notice: 8850], RIN 1400-AD47.

    The following are other fees changes that might be of most interest to FAWCO members and their families:

    K (fiancé and certain spouses of U.S. citizens) visa applications will increase from $240 to $265

    Family-Based Visa (immediate relative and family preference, processed on the basis of an approved I-130, I-600 or I-800 petition) will increase from $230 to $325.

    Employment-Based Visa (processed on the basis of an approved I-140 alien worker or I-526 alien entrepreneur petition) will decrease from $405 to $345.

    Other Immigrant Visa applications (including for I-360 self-petitioners, special immigrant visa applicants and all others) will have an application processing fee of $205, down from $220.

    E (treaty trader and treaty investor) visa applications will decrease from $270 to $205

    The final rule was published on 28 August 2014 in the Federal Register.

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