The US Embassy has implemented changes to its non immigrant visa application and fee structure.

In a statement from the US Embassy, it states as part of the US visa modernisation program the Suva Embassy from the 31st of May is implementing a fully web-based non-immigrant visa application form called the DS-160, which replaces the Electronic Visa Application Form and combines all information previously collected on the DS-156,157 and 158.

The new application form is not the only change as an updated visa application fee structure is also being implemented which will come into effect on the 4th of June.

The US State Department has established a tiered fee structure for non immigrant visa applications with the base fee starting at $265 from the previous fee of $250.

Fees will be higher for those cases that require extensive processing and less for more straight forward cases better reflecting the cost of providing these services.

The statement goes onto say that a recent cost of service study revealed that the current fees did not adequately cover the actual costs of visa services provided.

The new fees go into effect on the 4th June.