US to Charge Foreign Nationals $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' for Nonimmigrant Visas

The US will charge a new "visa integrity fee" of $250 for nonimmigrant visas, which could affect millions of people and generate billions of dollars in revenue. The fee, specified in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed by President Trump, is refundable but will raise the cost of visiting the US. The fee will be payable during the application process before the visa is issued.

Starting in late 2025, the United States will implement a new "Visa Integrity Fee" of $250 for most nonimmigrant visa applicants. This fee, outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4, 2025, is designed to address visa overstays and generate revenue. The fee will apply to various visa categories, including tourist, business, student, work, and exchange visas, affecting millions of travelers from non-waiver countries such as China, India, Nigeria, and Brazil. Exemptions include travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries and certain diplomatic visitors.

The new fee will be added to existing visa application costs, potentially raising the total cost to several hundred dollars per application. The policy, scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2025, is jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State. The fee is refundable if the visitor complies with visa terms, but the refund process remains unclear, and immigration lawyers warn of potential delays and denials.

Critics argue that the fee may discourage legitimate travelers, including students and tourists, and could negatively impact the U.S. tourism industry. Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, has expressed concern that the fee acts like a "self-imposed tariff" on international travelers, potentially driving visitors to other countries. The fee is also set to be adjusted for inflation, adding to its long-term financial impact.

The new visa integrity fee is expected to generate billions of dollars in revenue over the next decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. However, the exact number of people seeking reimbursement remains uncertain, as many nonimmigrant visas are valid for several years. The fee's implementation coincides with major global events, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which could exacerbate the financial burden on international visitors.

In summary, the new U.S. Visa Integrity Fee represents a significant change in visa application costs for millions of travelers. While the fee is designed to address visa overstays and generate revenue, its long-term impact on the U.S. tourism industry remains a subject of debate.

References:
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/2025/07/19/new-250-us-visa-integrity-fee-to-raise-costs-for-american-visitors/
[2] https://mybigplunge.com/politics/us-politics/trump-presidency/u-s-introduces-250-visa-integrity-fee-heres-what-global-travelers-need-to-know/
[3] https://fortune.com/2025/07/19/donald-trump-big-beautiful-bill-airline-visa-air-travel-business-congress-inflation/