A clarification
Hi guys,
The Visa Issuance Fee was increased to $75.00 which made the total fees to $335.00. However, the payment process was also changed, where in both application and issuance fees have been clubbed together. Here's a brief overview of what happened:
If you look at the the cut and paste of the FEES from above, you'll note the following:
IV Application Fees : $260 (** Paid prior to June 1)
IV Issuance Fees: $65 (** For applications made prior to June 1)
This is a total charge of $325 for applications made prior to June 1st, where $260 had to be paid to STL if you're applying from US and if Visa is issued (i.e. appl. not rejected by consulate) then you pay $65 more after interview.
For those applicants who applied from India before June 1st. would have had to pay $260 as application fees when they go for the interview. This application fee is paid before the interview is conducted and if the application is approved they will pay $65($75 after June 1st.). If not approved, then they don't lose the $65 or $75 as the case may be.
If rejected, the application fee of $260 is lost in its entirety.
In my case, my application went in april, where $260 was sent to STL. So I had to pay $65 when my application was approved at the consulate on July 23.
For those of you whose Pkt. 3 has gone after June 1st. you will have to pay $335 to STL.
Similary, those individuals who apply from India, don't send anything to STL, they attend the interview and pay $335 up front before the interview.
In both above cases, if the applications are rejected after interview, then you lose the $65 or $75 which you would not have in the earlier scheme earlier.
So, essentially there is only one single fee now. $335 is the application fee, which you lose if application is rejected, else you shouldn't have to pay any additional amount when you attend interview.
I know all of you will be tense. So, if it will make you feel better, keep the $75 per person amount available with you. If you need it, you can always cut a demand draft in no time. There's a nationalized bank right outside, in the case of Mumbai anyway, where you can cut the check in a matter of minutes, they even have the "American Consulate General, Mumbai" stamp for payee, you don't have to write it in. I'm sure there will be a bank near most US consulates in the world where u can get this done if required. Normally, once you've submitted your interview letter in the morning, you end up waiting for at least 1 hour before you get called.
So, stop worrying, and good luck!!! At the end, you'll all wonder why you were so tensed up.
Only thing you should be concerned about however, is to get all the papers together, exactly as required in Packet 4.
If you don't have any originals, like birth/marriage certificate etc., then:
1) get yourself an affidavit as per local legal procedures (Rs. 20/- stamp paper for India)
2) document from local municipality saying that the birth/marriage cert. was not issued
3) Proof of the date of birth/marriage -
- School leaving certificate or mark sheet showing name & DOB
- Photos of wedding and invitations showing DOM
If your documents are okay, you'll sail through without a hitch.
