Non-immigrant U.S. visa applicants need to pay a visa application fee (also known as machine readable visa fee or MRV fee). This fee varies based on the category of visa that is applied for. Prior to COVID, the fee was valid for a period of 365 days. During COVID, the department of state had extended the validity of visa fees beyond 365 days owing to consular shut down.

Visa Application Fee Paid on or After October 1, 2022

In a recent announcement, the U.S. Embassy in India has notified that all visa fees paid on or after October 1 2022 will be valid for a period of one year. It is important to remember that the visa interview does not have to happen within the 365 days. It is sufficient if an appointment is scheduled within the 365 day period.

Validity of Visa Fee paid Prior to October 1, 2022

The notification also clarifies that all visa application fees paid prior to October 1, 2022 will be automatically extended until September 30, 2023.

Conclusion

Interview dates for B visas are as far out as Jan 2025. We truly hope more interview dates are made available. We will continue to monitor and keep our readers informed on this important subject.