New U.S. Visa Integrity Fee to Affect Some Travelers, Including Canadians

The US government is introducing a "visa integrity fee" of $250 for some travelers, including Canadian permanent residents, who are not American citizens or from Visa Waiver Program countries. The fee applies to those entering the US by land or air and is part of the Trump administration's spending legislation. Canadian citizens are generally exempt, but may be affected if they are investors or fiancés of US citizens. The fee may be adjusted annually for inflation and is not refundable.

Title: New Visa Integrity Fee to Impact Canadian Travelers

The U.S. government, under the Trump administration's recent spending legislation, has introduced a "visa integrity fee" of $250 for certain travelers entering the country. This fee applies to individuals who are not American citizens and not from Visa Waiver Program countries, including Canadian permanent residents. The fee is part of a broader effort to secure the U.S. border and fund immigration enforcement and administrative efforts [1].

Key Points

1. Fee Details: The visa integrity fee is set at $250 and must be paid when a non-immigrant visa is issued. The fee can be adjusted annually for inflation and is not refundable [1][2][3].

2. Impact on Canadian Travelers: Canadian citizens are generally exempt from the fee, but Canadian permanent residents and some Canadians who are investors or fiancés of U.S. citizens will be required to pay it [4].

3. Exemptions: Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, such as Canada, are exempt from the fee [1][2].

4. Purpose: The fee aims to support "enforcement and administrative efforts related to U.S. visa policy and border security" and is expected to generate significant revenue over the next decade [1][3].

5. Criticism: U.S. Travel Association President Geoff Freeman has criticized the fee, stating that it amounts to a self-imposed tariff on international travel spending, which could discourage visitation [1].

Implementation and Timeline

The exact implementation date for the visa integrity fee is not yet clear, but it is expected to take effect in late 2025 [4]. The fee will be added to the existing fees required for non-immigrant visas and will not be waived or reduced [3].

Financial Implications

The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the new fee could cut the federal deficit by $28.9 billion over the next decade, with the Department of State issuing about 120 million nonimmigrant visas during that period [3]. The fee is expected to have a minimal impact on demand, as it primarily affects higher-income travelers who can afford the additional cost [3].

Conclusion

The introduction of the visa integrity fee represents a significant change in U.S. immigration policy, with potential implications for Canadian travelers. While the fee is designed to enhance compliance and border security, its impact on travel demand remains to be seen. Canadian permanent residents and certain Canadians may need to factor this new expense into their travel plans.

References

[1] https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/visa-integrity-fee-united-states-travel
[2] https://www.travelweek.ca/news/destinations/u-s-administration-brings-in-visa-integrity-fee/
[3] https://www.yahoo.com/news/buried-trump-beautiful-bill-250-124400225.html
[4] https://www.cicnews.com/2025/07/canadian-permanent-residents-foreign-workers-and-citizens-may-need-to-pay-an-additional-250-fee-to-enter-the-us-0757983.html