[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 31, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 79064-79066]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-30710]



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Vol. 79

Wednesday,

No. 250

December 31, 2014

Part V





Department of State





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Office of the Secretary





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22 CFR Part 22





Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and 
Overseas Embassies and Consulates--Visa Services Fee Changes; Final 
Rule

  Federal Register / Vol. 79 , No. 250 / Wednesday, December 31, 2014 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 79064]]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 22

[Public Notice:8990]
RIN 1400-AD72


Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and 
Overseas Embassies and Consulates--Visa Services Fee Changes

ACTION: Final rule.

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AGENCY: Department of State.
SUMMARY: The Department of State amends the Schedule of Fees for 
Consular Services (Schedule) for visa fees. More specifically, the rule 
amends the Border Crossing Card fee paid by a Mexican citizen under age 
15 whose parent or guardian has applied or is applying for a border 
crossing card (the ``reduced Border Crossing Card fee''). The 
Department of State is increasing the fee in light of the passage of 
the Emergency Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014, which added a $1 
surcharge to the fees for Machine Readable Visa (MRV) and Border 
Crossing Card (BCC) application processing. The Department must raise 
the reduced Border Crossing Card fee by $1, for a total fee of $17, to 
continue to collect the legislatively mandated fee amount of $13 and 
all applicable surcharges.

DATES: Effective January 1, 2015, except for the amendment to Sec.  
22.1 in amendatory instruction 3, which is effective October 4, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Interested parties may contact the Department by any of the 
following methods:
     Visit the Regulations.gov Web site at: http://www.regulations.gov and search the RIN, 1400-AD72 or docket number DOS-
2014-0029.
     Mail (paper, disk, or CD-ROM): U.S. Department of State, 
Office of the Comptroller, Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA/C), SA-17 8th 
Floor, Washington, DC 20522-1707.
     Email: [email protected]. You must include the RIN (1400-
AD72) in the subject line of your message.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Celeste Scott, Special Assistant, 
Office of the Comptroller, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of 
State; phone: 202-485-6681, telefax: 202-485-6826; email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    This final rule makes changes to the Schedule of Fees for Consular 
Services of the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs. The 
Department sets and collects its fees based on the concept of full cost 
recovery, but some fees are set by statute. Please note that certain 
``no fee'' consular services are included in the Schedule of Fees so 
that members of the public will be aware of significant consular 
services provided by the Department at no charge to the recipient of 
the service. The Department of State is adjusting the reduced Border 
Crossing Card fee in light of the passage of the Emergency Afghan 
Allies Extension Act of 2014, Sec. 2, Public Law 113-160, which added a 
temporary $1 surcharge to the fees for MRV and BCC application 
processing.

What is the authority for this action?

    The Department of State derives the general authority to set fees 
based on the cost of the consular services it provides, and to charge 
those fees, from the general user charges statute, 31 U.S.C. 9701. See, 
e.g., 31 U.S.C. 9701(b)(2)(A) (``The head of each agency . . . may 
prescribe regulations establishing the charge for a service or thing of 
value provided by the agency . . . based on . . . the costs to the 
government.''). As implemented through Executive Order 10718 of June 
27, 1957, 22 U.S.C. 4219 further authorizes the Department to establish 
fees to be charged for official services provided by U.S. embassies and 
consulates. Other authorities allow the Department to charge fees for 
consular services, but not to determine the amount of such fees, as the 
amount is statutorily determined.
    Several statutes address specific fees relating to nonimmigrant 
visas. For instance, 8 U.S.C. 1351 establishes reciprocity as the basic 
principle for setting the nonimmigrant visa issuance fee, meaning that 
the fee charged an applicant from a foreign country is based, insofar 
as practicable, on the amount of visa or other similar fees charged to 
U.S. nationals by that foreign country. In addition to the reciprocity 
issuance fee, Sec. 140(a) of Public Law 103-236, 108 Stat. 382, as 
amended, reproduced at 8 U.S.C. 1351 (note), establishes a cost-based 
application processing fee for nonimmigrant MRVs and BCCs. See also 8 
U.S.C. 1713(b). Such fees remain available to the Department until 
expended. 8 U.S.C. 1351 (note) and 1713(d). Furthermore, Sec. 501 of 
Public Law 110-293, Title V, 122 Stat. 2968, reproduced at 8 U.S.C. 
1351 (note) requires the Secretary of State to collect an additional $2 
surcharge (the ``HIV/AIDS/TB/Malaria surcharge'') on all MRVs and BCCs 
as part of the application processing fee; this surcharge must be 
deposited into the Treasury and goes to support programs to combat HIV/
AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Section 2 of Public Law 113-42, 
reproduced at 8 U.S.C. 1351 (note) imposes a temporary $1 surcharge, 
called the Special Immigrant Visa Surcharge, on the fees for MRV and 
BCC application processing, to be deposited into the general fund of 
the Treasury. This provision sunsets two years after the first date on 
which the increased fee is collected, which was on October 4, 2013. 
Section 2 of Public Law 113-160, reproduced at 8 U.S.C. 1351 (note), 
also imposes a temporary $1 surcharge on the fees for MRV and BCC 
application processing, to be deposited into the general fund of the 
Treasury, resulting in $2 in Special Immigrant Visa Surcharges. This 
provision will sunset five and a half years after the first date on 
which the increased fee is collected, which will be on January 1, 2015.
    The Border Crossing Card application processing fee for certain 
Mexican citizen minors is statutorily set at $13, even though such BCCs 
cost the Department the same amount to process as all other MRVs and 
BCCs--that is, significantly more than $13. See, Public Law 105-277, 
112 Stat. 2681-50, div. A, Title IV, section 410, reproduced at 8 
U.S.C. 1351 (note). Adding the two $1 SIV surcharges and the $2 HIV/
AIDS/TB/Malaria surcharge brings the total for the Border Crossing Card 
application processing fee for certain Mexican citizen minors to $17. 
The Department's costs beyond $13 must, by statute, be recovered by 
charging more for all MRVs, as well as all BCCs that do not meet the 
requirements for the reduced fee. See Public Law 105-277, 112 Stat. 
2681-50, div. A, Title IV, section 410(a)(3), reproduced at 8 U.S.C. 
1351 (note) (requiring that the Department ``shall set the amount of 
the fee [for processing MRVs and all other BCCs] at a level that will 
ensure the full recovery by the Department . . . of the costs of 
processing'' all MRVs and BCCs, including reduced cost BCCs for 
qualifying Mexican citizen minors).
    Certain people are exempted by law or regulation from paying 
specific fees or are expressly made subject to special fee charges by 
law. These are noted in the text below. They include, for instance, 
several exemptions from the nonimmigrant visa application processing 
fee for certain individuals who engage in charitable activities or who 
qualify for diplomatic visas. See 8 U.S.C. 1351; 22 CFR 41.107(c).
    Although the funds collected for many consular fees must be 
deposited into the general fund of the Treasury pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 
3302(b), various statutes permit the Department to retain some or all 
of the fee revenue it collects.

[[Page 79065]]

The Department retains the MRV and BCC fees, see Public Law 103-236, 
Title I, 140(a)(2), 112 Stat. 2681-50, reproduced at 8 U.S.C. 1351 
(note) and 8 U.S.C. 1713(d).
    The Department last changed nonimmigrant visa fees in an interim 
final rule dated August 28, 2014. See 22 CFR part 22 (79 FR 51247). 
Those changes to the Schedule went into effect September 12, 2014. The 
final rule regarding those fees has not yet been published.

Why is the Department adjusting certain nonimmigrant visa services fees 
at this time?

    The Department of State is mandated by law to collect a Border 
Crossing Card application processing fee for certain Mexican citizen 
minors. Statutes imposing surcharges brought that fee to a total of 
$16. The Department is raising the Border Crossing Card application 
processing fee for certain Mexican citizen minors by $1 to $17 from 
January 1, 2015 to October 4, 2015 to reflect the required additional 
$1 Special Immigrant Visa Surcharge during that time. On October 4, 
2015 the first Special Immigrant Visa Surcharge corresponding to Public 
Law 113-42 will expire, and the Border Crossing Card application 
processing fee for certain Mexican citizen minors will decrease by $1, 
returning to $16.

Regulatory Findings

Administrative Procedure Act

    The Department is publishing this rule as a final rule, with an 
effective date less than 30 days from the date of publication, based on 
the ``good cause'' exceptions set forth at 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B) and 
553(d)(3). The Department is issuing this final rule with an effective 
date on January 1, 2015. The APA permits a final rule to become 
effective fewer than 30 days after the publication if the issuing 
agency finds good cause. 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The Department finds that 
good cause exists for an early effective date in this instance because 
Congress has already mandated that the Border Crossing Card application 
processing fee for certain Mexican citizen minors be $13, the HIV/AIDS/
TB/Malaria Surcharge be $2, and the Special Immigrant Visa Surcharges 
total $2.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Department has reviewed this rule and, by approving it, 
certifies that it will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities as defined in 5 U.S.C. 601(6). 
This rule increases the Border Crossing Card application processing fee 
for certain Mexican citizen minors.

Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995

    This rule will not result in the expenditure by state, local, and 
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100 
million or more in any year, and it will not significantly or uniquely 
affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary 
under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, 2 
U.S.C. 1501-1504.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This rule is not a major rule as defined by 5 U.S.C. 804(2).

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    The Department has reviewed this rule to ensure its consistency 
with the regulatory philosophy and principles set forth in the 
Executive Orders. This rule has been submitted to OMB for review.
    This rule is necessary in light of the passage of the Emergency 
Afghan Allies Extension Act of 2014, which raises the Special Immigrant 
Visa Surcharge by $1. The Department of State is mandated by law to 
collect a $13 Border Crossing Card application processing fee for 
certain Mexican citizen minors. The Department is raising the Border 
Crossing Card application processing fee for certain Mexican citizen 
minors by $1 to $17 from January 1, 2015 to October 4, 2015 to coincide 
with the addition of the second $1 Special Immigrant Visa Surcharge 
during that time. On October 4, 2015 the first Special Immigrant Visa 
Surcharge corresponding to Public Law 113-42 will expire, and the 
Department of State will reduce the Special Immigrant Visa Surcharge by 
$1, returning to $16.
    Details of the fee changes are as follows:

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                                                                                                                           Estimated        Estimated
                                                                                                          Percentage       number of        change in
             Item No.                    Fee           Unit cost       Current fee     Change in fee       increase       applications     annual fees
                                                                                                                          affected \1\    collected \2\
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                                                         SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR CONSULAR SERVICES
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                                                                      * * * * * * *
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                                                               NONIMMIGRANT VISA SERVICES
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21. Nonimmigrant Visa Application
 and Border Crossing Card
 Processing Fees (per person):
    (f) Border crossing card--                $17            (\3\)              $16               $1               6%           18,750          $18,750
     under age 15; for Mexican
     citizens if parent or
     guardian has or is applying
     for a border crossing card
     (valid 10 years or until the
     applicant reaches age 15;
     whichever is sooner)........
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
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\1\ Based on approximately 10 months of validity for this rule.
\2\ Using projected FY 2015 workload to generate projections.
\3\ The fee for Border Crossing Card applications by minors is statutorily set.

    Historically, the workload for Border Crossing Card applications 
for certain Mexican citizen minors has not increased from year to year, 
potentially due to the small category of applicants who qualify for the 
reduced fee. For example, Mexican citizen minors only qualify for the 
reduced Border Crossing Card application fee if a parent or guardian 
already has applied or is applying for a Border Crossing Card. All 
Border Crossing Card applications for certain Mexican citizen minors 
are sought by and paid for entirely by foreign national applicants. The 
revenue increases resulting from those fees should not be considered to 
have a

[[Page 79066]]

direct cost impact on the domestic economy.

Executive Orders 12372 and 13132

    This regulation will not have substantial direct effects on the 
states, on the relationship between the national government and the 
states, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 
of Executive Order 13132, it is determined that this rule does not have 
sufficient federalism implications to require consultations, nor does 
it warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement. 
The regulations implementing Executive Order 12372 regarding 
intergovernmental consultation on federal programs and activities do 
not apply to this regulation.

Executive Order 13175

    The Department has determined that this rulemaking will not have 
tribal implications, will not impose substantial direct compliance 
costs on Indian tribal governments, and will not preempt tribal law. 
Accordingly, the requirements of Executive Order 13175 do not apply to 
this rulemaking.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    This rule does not create or revise any reporting or record-keeping 
requirements.

List of Subjects in 22 CFR Part 22

    Consular services, fees, passports and visas.

    Accordingly, for the reasons stated in the preamble, 22 CFR part 22 
is amended as follows:

PART 22--SCHEDULE OF FEES FOR CONSULAR SERVICES--DEPARTMENT OF 
STATE AND FOREIGN SERVICE

0
1. The authority citation for part 22 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  8 U.S.C. 1101 note, 1153 note, 1183a note, 1351, 
1351 note, 1714, 1714 note; 10 U.S.C. 2602(c); 11 U.S.C. 1157 note; 
22 U.S.C. 214, 214 note, 1475e, 2504(a), 4201, 4206, 4215, 4219, 
6551; 31 U.S.C. 9701; Exec. Order 10,718, 22 FR 4632 (1957); Exec. 
Order 11,295, 31 FR 10603 (1966).


0
2. In Sec.  22.1, effective January 1, 2015, amend Sec.  22.1 by 
revising Item 21.(f) in the table to read as follows:


Sec.  22.1  Schedule of fees.

* * * * *

                 Schedule of Fees for Consular Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Item No.                               Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       NONIMMIGRANT VISA SERVICES
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
21. * * *
    (f) Border crossing card--under age 15; for Mexican             $17
     citizens if parent or guardian has or is applying
     for a border crossing card (valid 10 years or
     until the applicant reaches age 15, whichever is
     sooner)...........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

0
3. In Sec.  22.1, effective October 4, 2015, amend Sec.  22.1 by 
revising Item 21.(f) in the table to read as follows:


Sec.  22.1  Schedule of Fees

* * * * *

                 Schedule of Fees for Consular Services
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Item No.                               Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       NONIMMIGRANT VISA SERVICES
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                * * * * *
21. * *
    (f) Border crossing card--under age 15; for Mexican             $16
     citizens if parent or guardian has or is applying
     for a border crossing card (valid 10 years or
     until the applicant reaches age 15, whichever is
     sooner)...........................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

    Dated: December 24, 2014.
Patrick Kennedy,
Under Secretary of State for Management, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2014-30710 Filed 12-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-24-P