Transcript of the above video:

As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing US Tourist Visa fees set to increase. This is coming from state.gov, that is from the US State Department of state.gov. The title of the announcement is: Publication of Final Rule on Non-Immigrant visa fee increases. These increases were published in the Federal Register, I am quoting directly: "These increases were published in the Federal Register on March 28th, 2023 and will be effective on May 30, 2023." So May 30, 2023 is the effective date of this announcement. Quoting further: "the fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2)" (so that is the standard US Tourist Visa) “and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185." So this is Tourist Visas, Student Visas and Exchange Visitor Visas will see an increase from 160 - 185 Dollars in terms of Visa fees.

So for those who are unaware, a lot of folks apply for US Tourist Visas every year to varying degrees of success. We have discussed on this channel what is called section 214 (B) of the Immigration and Nationality Act which creates a certain framework under which the adjudicating Foreign Service Officer at the US Embassy or Consulate has to go ahead and determine whether or not the person applying has "strong ties" to their home country or a third country outside the United States and, and this is key, "weak ties" to the United States. This will often see Tourist Visa applications denied because folks cannot meet that framework. But bear in mind the fee associated with applying for and presumably if the application is deemed worthy, approval of application for a US Tourist Visa, the fee for that is going up, it is increasing from $160 to $185 as of May 30th, 2023.