U.S. Makes Changes to Visa Application Process in Mexico

07 Dec 2010

Starting January 10, 2011, the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico will make changes to the way visas are processed. Under new procedures, the majority of applicants will visit an Applicant Service Center (ASC) before their consular section interview. Staff at the ASC will collect biometric information that will be reviewed prior to the applicants’ interviews with the consular section. These service centers will be located in buildings not connected to the U.S. Embassy or Consulates.

Please note that the total cost for visa applications will go down. Instead of paying separate fees for obtaining information and scheduling an appointment, the visa application and courier services, applicants will now pay just one fee that covers all three above-stated fees. The application fee will remain the same: $140 for a tourist application, $150 for a petition-based case and $390 for a treaty-trader or investor visa.

Please additionally note that applicants at the U.S. Consulates in Ciudad Juarez, Monterrey and Nuevo Laredo will no longer be required to pay a $26 surcharge.