Visa News

Effective February 1, 2013, all individuals issued immigrant visas overseas must pay a $165.00 USCIS Immigrant Fee before traveling to the United States. Only prospective adoptive parents whose child(ren) is/are entering the United States under either the Orphan or Hague Process, Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. government, returning residents, and those issued K visas are exempt from the new fee. The below USCIS website has more details on the new fee, including contact information for USCIS, if there are further questions: www.USCIS.gov/immigrantfee

Qs and As

When must I pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee?

You must pay the fee prior to departing for the United States. USCIS will not issue your green card until USCIS receives payment. However, even if you have not paid the fee, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers will admit you, as long as you are otherwise eligible to enter.

What if I was issued an immigrant visa before February 1,2013? Do I have to pay the fee?

No. Only applicants issued visas on or after February 1, 2013 will pay the new fee. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the airport or land border will review immigration records to determine when your immigrant visa was issued. If the visa was issued on or after February 1, 2013 but the fee was not paid, the Immigrant Visa package will be collected at the point of entry, but USCIS will not issue a green card until the $165.00 fee is paid.

Who has to pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee?

All applicants issued immigrant visas (including Diversity Visas), except children adopted under the Orphan (IR-3/IR-4) or Hague Processes (IH-3/IH-4), Iraqi and Afghan special immigrants who were employed by the U.S. Government, returning residents (SB-1s), and K visas, will pay the new fee.

How do I pay the new fee?

You will pay the fee by going to www.USCIS.gov/ImmigrantFee, clicking on the link to the USCIS intake page on Pay.gov, answering the questions on the USCIS intake page, and providing your checking account, debit, or credit card information. Because checking payments must be drawn on a U.S. bank, someone else may pay the USCIS Immigrant Fee on your behalf.

Learn and Know - Your Rights, Protections, and Resources

Rights and Protections for Foreign-Citizen Fiancé(e)s and Spouses of U.S. Citizens and Spouses of Lawful Permanent Residents

For Visa Applicants in the K-1, K-3, IR-1/CR-1, and F2A categories: Before your visa interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, it is important that you carefully read the pamphlet below. In doing so, you will learn about your rights and protections, as well as resources available to you, if help is needed when you come to the United States.

The U.S. Government created the pamphlet below based on a U.S. law, the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act of 2005 (Title D of Public Law 109-162), which reaffirms and strengthens the U.S. Government’s commitment to fight domestic violence and abuse in all forms.

Information on the Legal Rights Available to Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence in the United States and Facts about Immigrating on a Marriage-Based Visa

Pamphlet in English (.PDF file, 53 Kb)

New Procedures to Apply for a Nonimmigrant Visa
The Embassy of the United States of America in Bucharest is pleased to announce the introduction of a new appointment scheduling service and application procedure for nonimmigrant visa applicants.
Find out more or See the Press Release

DV 2014 Program: Registration for DV 2014 is now closed - additional entries cannot be accepted.
Online registration for the DV-2014 Program began Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concluded Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4).

DV-2014 Program Instructions
The English version of the DV-2014 Program Instructions is available in PDF format (290 Kb) for your convenience and required use. The English language version of the DV-2014 Program Instructions is the only official version.

Expedited Visa Renewal Pilot Program

Effective January 19, 2012, certain visa applicants meeting the requirements below may utilize the new procedure to renew their visa. The program applies to the following visa categories:

B1/B2 (Business/Tourism) Visa Applicants:

• Who have a previously issued B1/B2 visa which is either still valid or has expired within the last 48 months and have been interviewed after January 1, 2008.

Visa applicants with the age of 80 or more are also entitled to use this program.

F, J*, M (Students and Exchange Visitors) Visa Applicants:

• Who have a previously issued F, J*, or M visa which is either valid or has expired within the last 48 months, have been interviewed after January 1, 2008, and will continue participation in the same program or attendance at the same institution as in the previous visa.

*(Does not apply to Summer Work Travel. See Below.)

C1/D (Crew Members) Visa Applicants:

• Who have a previously issued C1/D visa which is either still valid or has expired within the last 48 months and have been interviewed after January 1, 2008.

Please note that:

• Visa applicants who changed their name after marriage/divorce are not eligible for this program. They will have to come to the visa interview.
• J Summer Work Travel visa applicants are not eligible for this program. They will have to come to the visa interview.
• If your previous passport with a U.S. visa was lost/stolen, and you meet all requirements for the visa renewal program, please submit a police report stating that your passport was lost/stolen, in addition to the required documents.

Visa applicants wishing to take advantage of this service should ensure they send their application and supporting documents to the Embassy by TNT. All passports with approved visas will be collected by the applicants from TNT offices. When submitting your application and supporting documents, please allow time for the mail/courier service and the adjudication by a Consular Officer. Please note that we reserve the right to call applicants for an in-person interview for any reason deemed necessary by the adjudicating Consular Officer.