Visa Services

Visa Waiver

Information Sheet For Charitable Institutions Seeking Visa Fee Waivers

You may be able to get the non-immigrant visa application and issuance fees waived for aliens you are sending to the United States to engage in charitable activities benefiting the poor and needy.

How can I get this waiver?

You must request the waiver of fees in writing, claiming that the fees are a financial burden. Submit the request to the Consular Office at which the alien(s) will apply for a visa. There is no special form for this purpose. A request on letterhead stationary is sufficient.

What else is required?

The letter must include the following:

Where the organization is based:

a) If in the United States, it must be tax-exempt as a charitable organization, not just as a non-profit organization;

b) If it is foreign-based and the government of its country has laws recognizing charitable institutions, it must be recognized as such by that country;

c) If it is foreign-based and the government of its country does not have such laws, it must be engaged in activities like those which, in the United States, would have tax-exempt status as charitable institutions;

How many aliens you want to send to perform charitable activities, and their names and dates and places of birth;

Exactly what kind of services for the poor and needy you expect them to perform;

Where and for how long you want the alien(s) to perform those charitable activities.

Is that all?

That’s all that is required. The consular office would welcome, of course, any other information you think would be helpful to show that the intended activities are those that merit this waiver and may, at its discretion, request additional documentation regarding the statements made in your letter.

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