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Immigration attorney urges Jamaican government to seek dialogue with US on visa fee increase

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Winston Tucker and Samouya Mattis
By Prince Moore
 
 
Winston Tucker, a New York based Jamaican Immigration attorney, believes the Jamaican government should have discussions with the United States about the significant increase in US visa application fees.
 
His comment follows news that Jamaicans seeking to travel to the US on a visitor's, student or work visa will face a major increase in the fees charged by the American Government.
 
As set out in the newly signed-into-law 'Big Beautiful Bill,' Jamaicans wishing to visit the US will have to pay an extra US$250, along with the regular fee of US$185. This brings the total to US$435.
 
Mr Tucker, speaking Monday on Radio Jamaica's Beyond the Headlines, said the increase in visa fees could have a ripple effect on airlines and the number of people seeking to travel to the United States. 
 
He believes discussions can be held to determine if the US will exercise some discretion in respect of Jamaicans.
 
Despite the concerns about the visa fee increase, Samouya Mattis, founder and CEO of HappiStart Travel, is stressing that such hikes are not unusual in global travel policy. 
 
Mattis, also speaking on Beyond the Headlines, cast doubt on the likelihood of applicants receiving a refund, given the timeline set by U.S. authorities, which specifies that this would only take effect at the time the expiration of the life of the visa.
 
"So, if you get a a ten-year visa; ten years down the line when you apply for that refund, what is that process going to like? Will this (policy) even be effect at that time? Will you even be eligible for the refund? So much can change in that timespan."
 
Given such uncertainties, she's of the view that all applicants must adopt a pragmatic approach, reasoning that "this is the cost of the visa now, and, yes they say you might get it back but the chances are very slim, based on the timeline that they have."
 
 
 
 
 


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