News Bytes

Increased fees for Non-Immigration-Visa

 

The US consulates have increased the fees for Visa applications and therefore adjusted to the current Euro-Dollar currency rate. One Euro is now worth 1.3806 US-Dollar (from 19.10.11). In the middle of June of this past year it was 1.4317 US- Dollar. Since the Dollar got itself into a better position to the euro than it has been before the applicants now have to pay higher Visa fees.

 

The current Visa fees are the following:

 

- Visa categories B, C, D, F, I, J, M (Tourists, Students/Exchange, Business- and Travel):

122 € (compared to 105€)

- Visa categories H, L, O, P, Q, R (temporarily employed): 122€ (compared to 113€)

- Visa category K (engagement Visa): 280€ (compared to 263€)

- Visa category E (trading and investing): 312€ (compared to 293€)

 

Applicants who paid their fees before October 17th 2011 (the day the fees were increased), may use their received prove of the payment for their scheduled interview appointment. The balance does not have to be paid.

 

To avoid any kind of problems at the day of the interview we suggest that applicants bring the balance between the old and the new increased fee in cash and Euros to their appointment, just to be on the safe side. If you are asked to pay the difference you will be given a receipt for it.

 

 

H-1B Visa Contingent for Applicants with a U-Masters degree almost full

 

The current number of H-1B applicant shows that within the last four weeks more people applied for an H-1B Visa than in the previous months. For that reason the contingent for applicants with a US master’s degree (or higher ones like Master’s Exemption) of 19,600 applications is almost entirely utilized.

 

As soon as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services, USCIS, receives over 20,000 H-1B “Master’s Exemption”- all following applications with a US Master degree will be assigned to the regular contingent – until the H-1B regular cap is utilized.

 

For the regular H11B Visa the USCIS already received 43,300 applications which are less if compared to the previous year. Possible reasons for this can be the still tense job market situation and shows how US companies barely employ new employees and therefore less employment visas are applied for.

Regardless, qualified employees have a very good chance to be hired in the United States.

 

 

List of SEVP certified schools publicized

 

After announcing the SEVIS II in the middle of this year as new information system for foreign students and exchange visitors the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement updated the list of schools and universities which qualify for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

 

The application and allowance from a SEVP- qualified school or the US Department of Foreign Affairs is necessary to receive an F-, M-, or J- Visa in the context of college studies or an exchange year on the USA.

 

The current listings of qualified schools can be found on the official websites of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Besides, the ICE gives a map of the United States on which all schools, which qualify for the SEVIS, can be found.

Further information on the SEVP can be found on the official website of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

 

 

Second nonstop flight from Frankfurt to New York/Newark

 

United Continental Holdings will probably offer a second nonstop flight from Frankfurt/Main to New York/Newark each day starting on January 3rd of 2012. The airplane (with 175 seats) will departure every day at 08:45a.m. in Frankfurt and arrive at noon local time at the Newark Liberty International Airport. On the way back to Germany the plane will leave New York/Newark at 04.50pm and arrive in Frankfurt at 06.55am of the following day. Due to decrease seasonal need the nonstop connection will be flying only once a day between January 22nd and February 16th 2012.

 

The airplane for this already existing nonstop connection even offers a capacity of 267 seats. It departs at 11.20am in Frankfurt daily and arrives in New York/Newark at 2.00pm local time. The flight back leaves Newark Liberty International Airport at 7.30pm and arrives in Frankfurt the next day at 9.25am.