K1 Visa Fee Change

[Raingal7 0]

I am a K1 visa filer and just found this page: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/fees-visa-services.html.

What's stupid is that most folks will continue to see a different fee on this page when they apply for the K1: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

They will then pay that one, even though their interview will not happen until after December. This is ridiculous! Or am I just missing something?

It states:

Important Notice - New Application Fees: Nonimmigrant and immigrant visa application fees for certain visa categories will change on September 12, 2014. All visa applicants must pay the fee amounts in effect on the day they pay, with the exception of Immigrant Visa application processing fees paid domestically to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will be effective as of the date of billing.

Fees that will decrease are not refundable. If you paid a visa fee before September 12, 2014 and that fee decreased, we cannot give you a refund.

Fees that will increase (nonimmigrant fees only): Visa fees paid will be accepted 90 days after the new fees go into effect, as follows:

• If you paid your visa fee before September 12, 2014, and your visa interview is on or before December 11, 2014, you do not have to pay the difference between the new and old fee amounts.
• If you paid your visa fee before September 12, 2014, and your visa interview is on or after December 12, 2014, you will be required to pay the difference between the old and new fee amounts – no exceptions.

Here is the new fee: K – Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa: $265.00

[KayDeeCee 4,900]

Filing the I-129F petition is not applying for a K-1 visa. It is a petition, and when approved grants the foreign fiance(e) the eligibility to apply for a K-1 visa at the US consulate in their country.

You are mixing up two different processes and fees. The USCIS site for the I-129F petition correctly lists the current filing fee, which is $340. People should continue to follow the USCIS's listed fees for filing their forms.

What changed on Sept. 12th, was the Dept. of State visa application fees. It used to be $240 when applying for a K-1 visa, and now it is $265. This fee and process is separate from filing the I-129F petition.

Here are the instructions for applying for a K-1 visa in Spain > http://madrid.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant/fiance.html

[ryna 132]

I am a K1 visa filer and just found this page: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/fees/fees-visa-services.html.

What's stupid is that most folks will continue to see a different fee on this page when they apply for the K1: http://www.uscis.gov/i-129f

They will then pay that one, even though their interview will not happen until after December. This is ridiculous! Or am I just missing something?

It states:

Important Notice - New Application Fees: Nonimmigrant and immigrant visa application fees for certain visa categories will change on September 12, 2014. All visa applicants must pay the fee amounts in effect on the day they pay, with the exception of Immigrant Visa application processing fees paid domestically to the National Visa Center (NVC), which will be effective as of the date of billing.

Fees that will decrease are not refundable. If you paid a visa fee before September 12, 2014 and that fee decreased, we cannot give you a refund.

Fees that will increase (nonimmigrant fees only): Visa fees paid will be accepted 90 days after the new fees go into effect, as follows:

• If you paid your visa fee before September 12, 2014, and your visa interview is on or before December 11, 2014, you do not have to pay the difference between the new and old fee amounts.
• If you paid your visa fee before September 12, 2014, and your visa interview is on or after December 12, 2014, you will be required to pay the difference between the old and new fee amounts – no exceptions.

Here is the new fee: K – Fiancé(e) or Spouse of U.S. citizen category visa: $265.00

I think you are confusing the I-129F petition filing fee with the K-1 visa fee. They are separate and you will pay for both (assuming approval.)

To make you feel better, back in 2010, right after we filed, they dropped the I-129F filing fee from $455 to $340 and instead upped the K-1 visa fee from $131 to $350. Due to bad timing, we got to pay $115 more than the new rate (and $209 more than the amount when we filed.) It actually seems that the visa prices have come down some since then.

[Raingal7 0]

I think you are confusing the I-129F petition filing fee with the K-1 visa fee. They are separate and you will pay for both (assuming approval.)

To make you feel better, back in 2010, right after we filed, they dropped the I-129F filing fee from $455 to $340 and instead upped the K-1 visa fee from $131 to $350. Due to bad timing, we got to pay $115 more than the new rate (and $209 more than the amount when we filed.) It actually seems that the visa prices have come down some since then.

Thank you for clarifying! Sometimes this process makes me feel like I'm losing my mind. I appreciate the reply!

Filing the I-129F petition is not applying for a K-1 visa. It is a petition, and when approved grants the foreign fiance(e) the eligibility to apply for a K-1 visa at the US consulate in their country.

You are mixing up two different processes and fees. The USCIS site for the I-129F petition correctly lists the current filing fee, which is $340. People should continue to follow the USCIS's listed fees for filing their forms.

What changed on Sept. 12th, was the Dept. of State visa application fees. It used to be $240 when applying for a K-1 visa, and now it is $265. This fee and process is separate from filing the I-129F petition.

Here are the instructions for applying for a K-1 visa in Spain > http://madrid.usembassy.gov/visas/immigrant/fiance.html

Thank you for replying! It's really tough to keep these things straight.