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 | Armenian delegation participating in NATO PA session The delegation is headed by Andranik Kocharyan, the chairman of the standing committee on defense and security matters. Schengen visa cost won’t change for Armenia – diplomat The increase in the cost of a Schengen visa will not apply to citizens of Armenia, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson has said. Yeremyan Projects opens state-of-the-art dairy production plant Yeremyan Projects officially launched the Yeremyan Products state-of-the-art milk processing plant in Yerevan on May 24. Azerbaijan's defense spending set to increase by 11% Azerbaijan's spending on defense and national security will increase by 11%, according to a fresh bill. |