US increases visa fee

Today's Top Stories - Saturday December 15, 2007

US increases visa fee

Washington - The US will increase its visa fees beginning January 1, the State Department said.

Tourists and those travelling for business who apply for non- immigrant visas will now pay 131 dollars, up from the current 100 dollars.

The move is part of an effort to cover costs for heightened security measures, including the collection of 10 fingerprints to check visitors against a terrorist database.

Citizens of 27 primarily western European countries are not required to obtain visas for visits of 90 days or less.

Over the next few months, major US airports from Boston to San Francisco will start requiring 10 fingerprints from most non-US citizens - not just both index fingers - to help prevent terrorism.

By the end of 2008, all US points of entry will enforce the rule, the Homeland Security Department (DHS) said .

The new rule will make it easier for border officials to check the fingerprints against a government database of terrorist suspects.

Dulles International, Washington's main airport, started the new procedure November 20. New York's Kennedy airport, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago OHare airport, San Francisco, Houston, Miami, Detroit and Orlando, Florida, will follow during the next few months, DHS said.

To enter the country, most foreign nationals between ages 14 and 79 who arrive in the US or apply for visas will have to provide the digital fingerprints as well as a photograph, DHS said. (dpa)

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