Visa Inflation

Dec 17, 2007 (LBO) – Visa fees for Sri Lankans traveling to the United States has increased from 100 US dollars to 131 US dollar, the US embassy in Colombo said. Applicants who have paid the 100 dollar fee before January 01 would be processed until January 31, but if the interview is after that date, the difference of 31 dollars must be paid. Effective January 1, 2008, the application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant visa will increase from $100 to $131. "This increase allows the State Department to recover the costs of security and other enhancements to the non-immigrant visa application process," an embassy statement said. "Embassies are now collecting ten fingerprints from each applicant, and the cost charged by the FBI to review those fingerprints no longer allows the State Department to absorb the additional cost." .