US government increases Visa application fees by up to Ksh 15,000.
US government increases Visa application fees by up to Ksh 15,000 starting May 30, 2023. They stated that visitor visas for business, tourism and students would be revised upwards from Ksh21,800 to Ksh25,206 (USD 160 to USD 185).
Additionally, visa fees for temporary workers was increased from Ksh25,887 to Ksh27,931. Treaty traders, treaty investors, and treaty applicants‘ visa fees was increased from Ksh27,931 to Ksh42,918.
However, Individuals who had applied earlier will not be subjected to the new visa fee reviews.
The Embassy indicated, “Individuals who already paid the existing, lower (Non-Immigrant Visa) NIV fee will not have to pay the difference once the fee increases on May 30, 2023. All NIV fee payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days.”
“Receipts for NIV fees paid prior to October 1, 2022, will continue to be valid until September 30, 2023,” they added.
The embassy argued that the fees had to be increased because of the the inputs associated with the services provided by consular sections worldwide.
They further stated,”US Embassy Nairobi continues its concerted efforts to meet the demand for visa services.”
This comes months after the Consul General-Head of Visa Section at the Kenyan US Embassy Deborah Miller stated that there are underway plans to reduce the visa waiting time.
She stated,”No one can defend the long wait for visas, it was an indefensible length of time, but we have taken concrete steps to address the issue by extending interviewing hours and scheduled appointments.”
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