U.S. Embassy Eliminates Non-immigrant Visa Issuance and Bank Processing Fees

December 18, 2006
No. 48/06

Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) -- The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia announced the elimination of the non-immigrant visa issuance fee effective immediately, following a review of procedures at the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, and with the concurrence of the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.  Furthermore, the Bank of Abyssinia, also effective immediately, no longer charges a $4 processing fee.

Previously, individuals who were granted non immigrant visas were asked to pay a visa issuance fee ($50 for tourist, $20 student, $20 transit) in addition to the $100 application fee. The issuance fees have now been removed, and all applicants will only pay a flat application fee of $100 or the equivalent in Birr (871). There are no additional costs for visa issuance.

Visa applicants in Ethiopia will no longer have to pay a processing surcharge to the Bank of Abyssinia for collection of application fees and data entry. The Bank of Abyssinia’s processing fee of $4 (or 35 Birr) will not be charged to applicants.  Bank costs will be absorbed by the United States government.   Applicants are only required to pay the flat application fee of $100 or the equivalent in Birr (871).

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