This week, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released Public Notice 4765, which offers adjusted fees for consular services and would become effective October 1, 2004.  In keeping with the Administrative Procedure Act, this proposed rule has a 30-day provision for public comments. 

According to the DOS, the adjustment to the Schedule of Fees is to ensure that consular service costs are retrieved through user fees to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.  The last update to the Schedule of Fees was in 2002.  The Bureau of Consular Affairs and an independent contractor conducted a cost-of-service study and have determined that nine costs will be adjusted on the Schedule of Fees. 

Notable Changes to the 2004 Proposed Fee Schedule

Type of Consular Service	2002 Rate  (in $)	2004 Rate (in $)	Change (+/–) in $
DV Lottery surcharge for immigrant visa	$100	$375	+$275
File search and verification of U.S. citizenship	45	60	+15*
Affidavit of Support Review	65	70	+ 5
Determine returning resident status	360	400	+40
Transportation letter for Legal Permanent Residents	300	165	–135
Waiver of 2-Year Residency Requirement	230	215	–15
Processing letters for FSIA Judicial Assistance Cases	650	735	+85*
Consular Time (per hour)	235	265	+30

*This cost is well below actual cost of service.  The remaining cost is recovered through allocation to related services, or by taxpayer appropriations.

Written comments will be accepted on or before August 18, 2004.  For more information, please view http://www.regulations.gov/index.cfm.