Department of State March 28, 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule adopts as final adjustments to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (Schedule of Fees) for several nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees and the Border Crossing Card (BCC) for Mexican citizens age 15 and over. These adjustments are based on the findings of the most recently approved update to the Cost of Service Model (CoSM) and incorporate revised projections for nonimmigrant visa demand. This rule also addresses public comments received by the Department on the originally proposed fee recommendations found in the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

The U.S. Department of State (Department of State) is publishing an interim final rule with request for comment (interim final rule) for Exchange Visitor Program regulations, the regulations that apply to sponsors the Department of State designates to conduct international educational and cultural exchange programs. The Department of State is making administrative changes to the regulations to include providing sponsors two new options: using digital signature software to sign Certificates of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Forms DS-2019) and electronically transmitting Forms DS-2019. Sponsors should experience cost savings and increased efficiencies from these changes.