This increase affects tourist, student and business visas for the US. A separate increase of 6% (from $335 to $355) will be implemented for immigrant visas. The rationale behind this increase is attributed to the increase in cost of processing the visas.

For a country which seems to be steadily flying into a recession, the rationale for this increase may hinder a potential for the influx of foreign cash and foreign minds. From a prospective international student’s perspective, the added cost is another expense in the ever increasing cost of a US education. This, in the addition to the already difficult process to secure a working visa in the US, will most likely result in competing industries abroad retaining some of the best minds around the world buy making their universities and industries more accessible. Consequently this will lead to increasing the respective countries’ competitive advantage on the world stage, while the US absorbs more illegal immigrants.

The timing for this visa increase is very well executed however, with more people around the world being able to travel to the US for the first time, the increase will not seem to be such a significant barrier. Although, given the arduous process of obtaining a US visa some might find it a better idea to head somewhere else with their money.

On the bright side, for travelers interested in spending less than 90 days in the US, some countries have a Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which allows tourists to spend up to 90 days in the US without a visa. Note, however, that travelers are not guaranteed 90 days, it is up to the discretion of the immigration officer at the port of entry as to the exact number of days to be granted. So cross your fingers, hope that your immigration officer is having a good day and smile big. Oh, and they also like it when you call them “Sir” or “Mame” – trust me.