Effective February 1, 2013, all applicants seeking a U.S. immigrant visa will have to pay an additional fee of US$ 165, which must be paid online after approval of the immigrant visa and before travel to the United States. The following immigrants are exempt from this fee:

• Prospective adoptive parents whose child is entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process;
• Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. government;
• Returning residents, and
• Persons entering the U.S. on K visa.
• This update and more detailed information can be found here.