No visa fee for students: US

This move comes in the wake of a reduction in the number of H-1B visas from 200,000 to 65,000 worldwide since October 1. With India8217;s army of software programmers being one of the largest users of this visa category, the impact of the reduction is likely to be felt soon. But observers have also pointed out that with the US economy failing to get out of recession, the number of jobs available in the US software industry had also hit a downward spiral.

The abolition of the student visa issuance fee is good news for India, students here say, and will definitely spur interest in US educational institutions. The 100 or Rs 4,600 visa application fee for the students as well as other categories of visa-seekers, including business visas, however remains. The fee for all other categories has also been reduced from the current 75 to 50.

An adjustment in the consular exchange rate from Rs 49 to Rs 46 per dollar will further reduce all rupee denominated costs incurred in applying for visas and passports at US missions. US passport applications for children under 16 will decrease to Rs 3,220 and adult passport renewal applications will cost Rs 2,530 while first time adult passport applicants will have to pay Rs 3,910.