Boosted US security felt in Visa fee rise

Costs involved in boosting United States security measures mean the US tourist visa fee will increase to $150 from tomorrow, the US Embassy said today.

The US$20 ($NZ42.50) increase to the application and processing fee would not affect New Zealanders who could enter the US under the visa waiver programme.

Security has been boosted in the US following the September 11 hijacking of passenger planes which were flown into the World Trade Centre and Pentagon, killing more than 2800 people.

The embassy said in a statement that visa processing procedures had changed under the new security measures, including using an improved name-check system "to screen for potential threats".

"Because implementing these changes requires expensive technical and system management enhancement, an increase in visa fees was necessary."

- NZPA