K Visa cost and exchange rate

[Brian&Larissa 73]

Just trying to get my arms around certain costs and the exchange rate. The UAH has been fluctuating a lot lately.

The cost of the K Visa is $240...not a problem.

On the MRV form, however, which needs to be completed and submitted to the bank when paying they have the amount in UAH at 3120UAH. At today's exchange rate: $277.77

The form expires on April 25th when I assume a new UAH, based on new exchange, will be posted. The current exchange at the embassy is stating: 13UAH to $1

Today on www.i.ua the exchange is: 11.23UAH to $1

I am not trying to quibble, but when paying for 3 visas, this is quite a bit more than $240 per visa.

How does each of you handle the exchange rate? Why are we overpaying for the cost of the visa? It should always be $240...since it is being paid at a bank, the lowest exchange should be offered, as aren't we paying directly into the US Embassy's account?

Just curious what everyone else is doing in this situation.

Thanks

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

As I recall it was the same when I paid for my K-1 visa in Russia, exchange rate wasn't the best. But honestly, I didn't even think about it. Comparing to all other expences of immigration process it's so tiny amount of difference that it's like a penny in a grocery shopping for a whole week and it didn't really worth to bother about. I understand that with 3 visas it makes about $100 difference what is a little more substantial, but once again, whole immigration process costs a few thousands dollars per person (if you'll calculate K-1, AOS, RC, travel, settling, etc.) and I don't think exchange rate is something we could affect and should concentrate at when you're going through process affecting your life and even more - life of your fiancee. Just my 2 cents.

- Victor from Russia

[Brian&Larissa 73]

Victor...I agree, but I get hung up on the principle of the issue. We pay enough to the goverment for this process. Why pay more due to them not being able to effectively monitor the exchange rate? I was just venting about the bureuacracy of the whole situation and this blew my lid. Thanks! 2-cents is better than 13 to 1!

[vbtwo 54]

I had a quibble with this too. They used a pretty bad exchange rate when specifying the exchange prices, even when the Hrivnya was pretty stable at 8 hryvnya/dollar. You could wait until it expires and they'll post a new rate for 2 weeks or so and it might be better.

There is nothing that you can do except complain about it as this is the only way to pay for the visa, so if you want it, you must pay. You can contact your representatives and complain that the state department is ripping you off on exchange rates.