US Raises Visa Fees

From The US Embassy in Moscow website:
"Nonimmigrant Visa Services"

Beginning June 4, 2010, worldwide fees for non-immigrant visa applications will increase. The majority of visa categories, including B-1/B-2, F, and J visas, will increase from $131 to $140. Petition-based non-immigrant visas, including H, L, O, P, Q, and R visas, will increase from $131 to $150. Fiance(e) K visas will increase from $131 to $350. All applicants with interviews on or after June 4, 2010 must pay in accordance with the new schedule of fees.

^ This has got to be one of the worse things the US and the US State Department can do right now. I thought charging $131 for a tourist/business (non immigrant) visa was too high and now they are going to raise it to $140! I also find it disgusting to charge $350 for a finance visa (especially considering it used to be $131.) I don't know what idiots thought up this "great" plan, but they have got to be the dumbest people around. I know the security checks and new technology for issuing visas cost money, but do not think that $131 or $140 is the amount to charge. If we want to allow legal immigrants into the country than we need to make the visa process friendlier and cheaper otherwise foreigners will take their time and money elsewhere. ^

http://moscow.usembassy.gov/nivservices.html