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US increases visa fees for different categories; Here's what has changed

06:55 PM | 29 Mar, 2023
US increases visa fees for different categories; Here's what has changed

WASHINGTON - The US Department of State confirmed on Tuesday an increase in visa processing fees for a number of non-immigrant visa categories, though less than the proposed increase.

The visa fee would also increase for F and M student visas and J exchange visas and comes months after the Department of State published a draft rule on the change of fees for public comment, while proposing a 50 per cent increase in processing fees for non-immigrant visas from US$160 to US$245.

At the time of the publication of the report in December, the Department of State stated that the increases were needed to fully recover the cost of providing services under the Cost of Service Model (CoSM); however, in the Final Rule published by the Department of State, the increase has been lower.

According to the changes, the application processing fee for non-immigrant visas will increase by 15.6 percent to US$185 from May 30th 2023.

"The fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas, will increase from $160 to $185. The fee for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas for temporary workers (H, L, O, P, Q, and R categories) will increase from $190 to $205. The fee for a treaty trader, treaty investor, and treaty applicants in a specialty occupation (E category) will increase from $205 to $315," the department said.

As per official announcement, the processing fee for the BCCs for Mexican citizens age 15 and over will be raised from $160 to $185 though the original proposal was to raise it to $245. 
 
'The fee for the exchange visitor waiver of two-year residency requirement will be maintained at $120, instead of the proposed $510,' the department highlighted.

The State Department explained that Activity-Based Costing (ABC) methodology is opted to calculate annually, the cost of providing consular services, including visa services and the fees for most non-petition based NIVs were last updated in 2012, and certain other NIV fees were last changed in 2014.

The Department explained that the proposed fees were calculated on a 10-year average of past and projected usage, but said travel environment could change drastically as seen during the pandemic. 

In the Final Rule, the Department of State said it received a total of 328 comments, 94 of which were duplicates and focused on issue like impact on international education and that the hike might drive students away from the country.

“The Department believes this [lower] modification largely addresses the issues raised by the commenters, which appeared to be driven by financial impact on visa applicants,” it said in response.

The Department of State is also postponing the proposed fee hike for the exchange visitor waiver of residency requirement (J-Waiver), which was originally planned to increase from US$120 to US$510.

The announced hike has somewhat relieved the visa seekers as the proposed increase was way too much high and virtually opened a barrage of criticism. The Final Rule publication by the Department of State can be read here

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Pakistani rupee remains stable against US Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal and Dirham; Check forex rates

Pakistani rupee remained stable against the US dollar, and other currencies in the open market on Friday.

Dollar Rate in Pakistan Today

On Friday, the US dollar remained stable and was being quoted at 283.2 for buying and 286.15 for selling.

Euro comes down to 308 for buying and 311 for selling. British Pound rate dropped to 358.5 for buying, and 362 for selling.

UAE Dirham AED witnessed slight drop and new rate stands at 77.4 whereas the Saudi Riyal remained stable at 76.

Today's currency exchange rates in Pakistan - 8 December 2023

Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)

Currency Symbol Buying Selling
US Dollar ‎USD 283.2 286.15
Euro EUR 308 311
UK Pound Sterling GBP 358.5 362
U.A.E Dirham AED 77.4 78.1
Saudi Riyal SAR 76 76.8
Australian Dollar AUD 187.2 189
Bahrain Dinar BHD 757.23 765.23
Canadian Dollar CAD 209 211
China Yuan CNY 39.89 40.29
Danish Krone DKK 41.19 41.59
Hong Kong Dollar HKD 36.41 36.71
Indian Rupee INR 3.42 3.53
Japanese Yen JPY 1.39 1.45
Kuwaiti Dinar KWD 921.71 930.71
Malaysian Ringgit MYR 61.02 61.62
New Zealand Dollar NZD 174.54 176.54
Norwegians Krone NOK 26.05 26.35
Omani Riyal OMR 739.62 747.62
Qatari Riyal ‎QAR 78.22 78.92
Singapore Dollar SGD 211 213
Swedish Korona SEK 27.12 27.42
Swiss Franc CHF 324.94 327.44
Thai Bhat THB 8.06 8.21

Gold prices in Pakistan increase; Check out latest rates here

Gold price in Pakistan increased as the yellow metal witnessed an upward trend in the international market.

Gold Rates in Pakistan Today - 8 December 2023

On Friday, the price of a single tola of 24-karat gold stands at Rs217,400 and 10 grams of 24k gold costs Rs186,390.

Single tola of 22 Karat Gold costs Rs199,282, 21 karat rate for per tola is Rs190,225 and 18k gold rate is Rs163,050 each tola.

In the global market, gold prices hover at around $2026, gaining $8.30 on Friday.

Today Gold Rate in Pakistan

Today Gold Price in Pakistan (8 December 2023)

City Gold Silver
Lahore PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Karachi PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Islamabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Peshawar PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Quetta PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Sialkot PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Attock PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Gujranwala PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Jehlum PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Multan PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Bahawalpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Gujrat PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Nawabshah PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Chakwal PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Hyderabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Nowshehra PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Sargodha PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Faisalabad PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583
Mirpur PKR 217,400 PKR 2,583

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