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ESTA Fee Travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries to pay operational and travel promotion fees starting 08 September, 2010.
Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fees to Increase June 4 On May 20, 2010, the Department of State published an interim final rule in the Federal Register to increase nonimmigrant visa application processing fees, also called the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and Border Crossing Card (BCC) fees. The interim final rule also establishes a tiered structure with separate fees for different nonimmigrant visa categories. The new fees are scheduled to go into effect on June 4, 2010.
Greece added as VWP country Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the designation of Greece as a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Like VWP travelers from other countries, Greek citizens will be required to apply for an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA) through the Web-based system. Greek citizens will be able to visit the United States without visas beginning on April 05, 2010 with a valid electronic passport (e-passport) and an ESTA authorization. Please read the DHS Press Release for more information.
DS-160 Implementation As of March 1, all applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas in Germany will be required to complete and submit the electronic application form DS-160. Information regarding this new development can be found below in both English and German.
Update to HIV Policy As of January 4, 2010, HIV infection will no longer be an ineligibility when foreign citizens apply for a visa to travel to the United States. Additionally, HIV testing will no longer be required for medical examinations for visa purposes. Further, applicants who are HIV-positive will no longer require waiver processing by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Review the travel.state.gov HIV Questions & Answers to learn more.
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