-
-
The new U.S. Visa Integrity Fee is important for any relatives, friends, or business associates planning to visit the United States in the coming months.
Starting October 1, 2025, the United States will implement a new $250 “visa integrity fee” for most non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students, and business travelers, CNBC reported.
This new charge is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a law passed under former President Donald Trump. It is designed to “restore integrity” to the immigration system and will be overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which may adjust the fee annually to reflect inflation.
The visa integrity fee is not a substitute for existing visa application fees or the I-94 form fee, which recently increased from $6 to $24. This means applicants for some categories, such as the H-1B work visa, could now pay over $450 in total visa-related charges.
The new fee is nonrefundable if the visa is denied. However, visa holders may be eligible for a partial refund—but only if they leave the U.S. within five days after visa expiry and avoid illegal work. Officials say the refund system is still being developed and may take years to finalize.
Although the fee is set to roll out in fiscal year 2025, immigration experts warn that the collection process remains uncertain, since DHS does not directly issue visas. The U.S. Travel Association has voiced concern about the fee’s potential effects on travel and tourism.
Critics say the new charge may discourage tourism and international education, especially for students and families already facing high visa costs. The announcement comes amid an 80% budget cut to Brand USA, the U.S. tourism marketing agency.
While U.S. overstay rates remain low at 1–2%, the DHS justifies the move by noting that 42% of undocumented immigrants originally entered the country legally but overstayed their visas.
