U.S. Raises Fees For Visa Application

The cost for foreign tourists, students and business travelers aiming to enter the United States is on the rise. Starting Jan. 1, the application process for nonimmigrant visas costs $131, up from the present $100 fee, the U.S. State Department announced.

“Because of new security-related costs, new information technology systems, and inflation, the $100 … fee is lower than the actual cost of processing nonimmigrant visas,” it said in a statement.

It’s the first time since November 2002 that the United States has increased the fee, which according to the State Department is largely necessary to cover enhanced technology, such as complete fingerprinting.

The price hike will not apply to immigrant visa applicants or to citizens of the 27 countries in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, unless they seek permission to enter the United States for longer than 90 days.

For more information check the Web site for U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, http://sanjose.usembassy.gov.