3/6/2008

State Department to Charge Fingerprint and Name Check Fee for All "Nonimmigrant" & "Immigrant Visa Applicant". The State Department has begun performing fingerprint and name checks on all visa applicants except those falling within a narrow range of exceptions. Fingerprints are now required of all visa applicants except those under 14 years of age or over 79 years of age, and certain diplomats and officials. 

The Department will charge the fingerprint and name check fees to all the immigrant visa and nonimmigrant visa applications under the revised the consular visa fee amendment rule that goes effect tomorrow on January 1, 2008, unless the such fingerprint and name checks are waiver. For the announcement, please click here.

This rule amends 22 CFR Part 41 in order to reflect increased security measures requiring fingerprinting and name checks of all visa= applicants, with certain narrow exceptions, and to be consistent with an amendment to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services including the cost of such checks in fees for non-immigrant and immigrant visas and border crossing cards.

The deletion of Part 22, section 41.105(b) is necessary at this time because the Department is conducting fingerprint checks and name checks on all visa applicants who do not fall within the exceptions noted above, and because beginning on January 1, 2008, the cost of such checks will be included in visa fees, including the fees for non-immigrant visas. In contrast, section 41.105(b) prescribes fingerprint and name checks of non-immigrant visa applicants only in certain circumstances, and provides that a fee for fingerprint checks will only be charged when a name check indicates the possibility of a criminal history.