The US Department of State recently released a memo stating visa fees for visitors (nonimmigrant visas) to the United States will rise, effective April 13th, 2012. For example, the tourist visa class used to be $140 — it will increase to $160.
The fees are going up due to rising administrative costs, the US government says. I can’t say I exactly believe that, it looks more like a disincentive to applying for the visa, which in addition to the administrative cost, brings with it other costs. For example, in order to get an appointment for the visa interview in Chile, you have to buy the equivalent of a money order which buys you a few minutes on the phone to schedule the appointment. Or on the other hand, maybe it really is terribly expensive to stamp all those papers and reject all those applicants.
Anyway, you may be thinking, what do I care? I’m a US citizen.
Not so fast there, buddy.