New Rule for Consular Services
The Department of State issued a new rule for Consular services today on fees that increases H-2A and H-2B visa application processing by $15 dollars. While it is hard to support any increase, the good news is that $15 is well below the drastic increase originally proposed by the Department of State. The proposed rule would have raised the H-2A and H-2B visa application processing fee from $190 to $310. The final rule sets that level at $205 and becomes effective on May 30, 2023.
We are grateful that the Department of State listened to feedback from FEWA and our industry allies about the burdens associated with the proposed fee increases. Please note that this rule on visa application processing fees levied by the Department of State is separate from the proposed USCIS rule on the H-2A and H-2B visa petition fees.