U.S. Embassy Announces Increase in Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee

December 17, 2007

U.S. Embassy Announces Increase in Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee

The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda announces that effective January 1, 2008 the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee will increase from $100 to $131.  All applicants applying for tourist and other types of nonimmigrant visas are required to pay this fee when appearing for a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy Kampala.  Applicants may pay the fee in U.S. Dollars or the equivalent in Ugandan Shillings.

The increase in the visa application fee is a global fee increase implemented by the U.S. Government.  The fee increase was necessary because the previous fee of $100 did not cover the costs incurred with new security-related processing, new information technology systems, and inflation.  Nonimmigrant visa applicants pay this fee to the Consular Section Cashier at the U.S. Embassy when appearing for their interview.

The United States Embassy in Kampala, Uganda would also like to remind prospective visa applicants that appointments are required in order to submit a visa application and obtain a visa interview.  In order to schedule an appointment with the Embassy, applicants are required to go to the U.S. Embassy internet site at http://kampala.usembassy.gov/.  Applicants should click on the tab labeled "Visa Services," and follow the instructions posted there.

In order to schedule an appointment, an applicant must first complete and printout the DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF).  A properly completed DS-156 application form will include an electronic "barcode" on the third page when printed.  Applicants must enter this barcode number when booking an appointment via the internet site.  Applicants should not email the DS-156 application form to the Embassy, as visa applications will only be considered when an applicant hand delivers their properly completed application form at their designated visa interview time.

Instructions and a hyperlink to the DS-156 Electronic Visa Application Form and a hyperlink to the visa appointment webpage are both accessed from the Embassy website at http://kampala.usembassy.gov/.  Applicants are advised that they should apply at least three weeks in advance of anticipated travel dates as requests for expedited appointments (except for student visa applicants and medical emergencies) cannot be accommodated.

Please note that all holders of diplomatic and official passports applying for nonimmigrant visas are not required to schedule a visa interview.  Holders of diplomatic and official passports may appear at the U.S. Embassy during normal visa operating hours from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM Monday through Thursday, and may present their DS-156 visa application form at that time.

Government employees traveling on official government to government business should coordinate with the Protocol Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to obtain a Diplomatic Note and have their application delivered to the visa section.  Direct hire employees of accredited international organizations traveling on official business (United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, etc.) should coordinate with their respective administrative offices in order to obtain a Diplomatic Note and have their application delivered to the visa section.