US visa fee to increase starting June 4May 27, 2010 - 21:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - On June 4, 2010, the fee charged for tourist or business visas will increase from $131 to $140. The new application fee for H, L, O, P, Q and R visas will be $150; for E visas - $390, and K visas - $350. Applicants will have to pay the full fee in effect on the day they apply, regardless of when they pay. If someone paid $131 to apply for a tourist visa and his appointment is after June 4, he will have to pay the $9 difference when he comes in for an interview. Applicants for tourist, student and exchange visas can pay the difference at the Embassy on the day of their interview. Meanwhile, applicants for H, L, O, P, Q or R visa should apply to the consular section for instructions on how to pay the difference. The fees are being increased to ensure that the Department of State recovers the true costs of consular services through user fees, as required by law. The proposed changes to the fee schedule reflect more accurately the true expenditure of doing business. This way, services of direct benefit to individuals, organizations, or groups are paid for by the users rather than by taxpayers in general. The Department of State reviewed its current consular fees based on a cost of service study completed in June 2009. This study, involving two years of research, was the most detailed, comprehensive study of consular fees that the Department of State has completed. The last change in visa application fees was in 2008. Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with Stephan Schütz, Executive Partner at Gerkan, Marg and Partners. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. Partner news | Your home is in Armenia – Ameriabank offers mortgage loans for the Diaspora To buy real estate, Diasporans can apply to Ameriabank online to buy, renovate or build a home anywhere in Armenia. Armenia-Qatar ties discussed in Doha The Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council met with the Deputy Secretary General of the National Security Council of Qatar. ARARAT special evening dedicated to Aznavour's 100th Anniv. On May 20 ARARAT legendary Armenian brandy, celebrated the centennial of Maestro Charles Aznavour with a special event. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. |