The US has launched a brand new $250 visa integrity charge for non-immigrant visa candidates, a compulsory cost that’s anticipated to influence vacationers from Nigeria and different nations considerably.
The charge is a part of sweeping immigration modifications contained within the One Massive Lovely Invoice Act, handed in the course of the Trump administration and just lately applied.
In response to the regulation, the charge is payable after a visa is granted. This implies people whose visa purposes are rejected is not going to be charged. Nonetheless, there aren’t any exemptions or waivers, and the regulation provides the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Safety the authority to extend the charge sooner or later.
Whereas the regulation permits for a refund, travellers should meet strict circumstances to qualify. These embody:
ALSO READ: Donald Trump petitioned to impose visa ban on Akpabio, Abbas over Rivers crisis
Refund tied to strict compliance
-
Leaving america inside 5 days after the expiration of their authorised keep,
-
Avoiding unauthorised employment,
-
Refraining from extending their keep, and
-
Not violating another phrases of their visa.
Travellers who later change into lawful everlasting residents (inexperienced card holders) may additionally be eligible for a refund. Nonetheless, the regulation doesn’t presently define how the refund course of will work or how lengthy it could take.
This new cost is anticipated to have an effect on vacationers, enterprise guests, and worldwide college students probably the most, all of whom usually apply for non-immigrant visas.
The Type I-94 charge quadrupled
Along with the visa integrity charge, the charge for Type I-94 — the official doc that tracks overseas nationals coming into and exiting the U.S. — has risen from $6 to $24 per issuance.
Whereas most travellers arriving by air or sea obtain their I-94 electronically, land travellers, particularly these coming into from Canada or Mexico, sometimes obtain a paper copy. It’s presently unclear whether or not the brand new $24 charge applies universally or solely to particular entry varieties.
ESTA, asylum, and immigration courtroom charges additionally elevated
The Act additionally raised charges in different key areas, together with:
-
ESTA (Digital System for Journey Authorization), utilized by residents of Visa Waiver Program nations, will now price no less than $13 per utility, with potential will increase tied to inflation.
-
Momentary Protected Standing (TPS) candidates will now pay:
-
$500 for preliminary purposes,
-
$550 for a primary work allow (EAD),
-
$275 for EAD renewals.
-
Asylum seekers might be required to pay:
-
$100 yearly whereas their case is pending,
-
$550 for a primary work allow,
-
$275 for renewals.
-
Humanitarian parole candidates will face:
-
$1,000 for the preliminary utility,
-
$550 for a parole-based work allow,
-
$275 for renewals.
-
Immigration courtroom submitting charges now embody:
-
$1,500 to use for adjustment of standing,
-
$600 to file for cancellation of removing,
-
$900 for many motions and appeals.
ALSO READ: Why Trump is punishing Nigeria amid tough visa rules
