The US Embassy speeds up the procedure of issuing visas for Moldovan applicants, Info-Prim Neo reports quoting a communiqué of the Embassy in Chisinau. Starting 15 April, all the branches of Moldova-Agroindbank accept payments of the tax to process the application for nonimmigrant visa for the United States worth USD131 (1,375.5 Moldovan lei). This new service is free of additional charge to visa applicants. Visa applicants will be required to present the receipt for payment of the application fee for all applications after April 28. This free, secure service is the U.S. Embassy’s most recent effort to streamline visa procedures for Moldovan visa applicants. The new process will be more convenient for visa applicants, and shorten the length of time spent at their visa interview appointments. It will also help address the growing demand for U.S. visas, which nearly doubled in 2007, and is on track to be even greater in 2008. The U.S. Congress mandates that visa applicants worldwide pay the $131 (1375.5 Moldovan lei, at the current rate of exchange) application fee for U.S. nonimmigrant visas. The U.S. Embassy establishes the fee's price in lei, based on the current rate of exchange. The new payment system has many advantages. Applicants do not need to pay in person. Friends, colleagues or family can make the payment at a Moldova-Agroindbank branch on the applicant’s behalf by presenting either the applicant’s passport/bulletin, or its photocopy. The bank tellers need only the applicant’s name, as written in his or her passport, and the passport or bulletin number. The transaction takes just minutes and can be done at the applicant’s convenience any day prior to the visa interview date. There are no banking fees assessed for this service.