The embassy said it has upped its fees from US$100 (Z$150 000 000) to US$131 (Z$196 500 000) with effect from January 1, 2008.

An embassy statement said: "The U.S. State Department has increased non-immigrant visa fees worldwide to absorb costs related to new security measures put into place since 2001.

"Visa applicants who have already paid the US$100 application fee before January 1, 2008, will be processed if they schedule and appear for a visa interview before January 31, 2008. Those who schedule appointments after January 31 but have paid $100 will have to pay an additional $31 before being processed. The $31 fee can be paid at the US Embassy on the day of the interview.”

It said the adjustments to the processing fee are being made to bring visa fees in line with the actual costs of providing the services. The Department of State recovers the costs for most consular services through user fees.

The last major revision of the U.S. non-immigrant visa application fee was in 2002. Consular service fees, including the non-immigrant visa application fee, are established worldwide and are not specific to Zimbabwe, said the embassy.

The announcement by the US embassy is likely to deal a body blow to many Zimbabweans who have been fleeing from the persisting political and economic problems.