New $250 visa integrity fee: what non-immigrant travellers must know before visiting the US
Travelling to the United States just got more expensive for many international visitors. As part of the legislative package known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a new mandatory surcharge, the Visa Integrity Fee, has been introduced, significantly raising the total cost of non-immigrant visas.
What is the visa integrity fee?
The Visa Integrity Fee is a new, non-waivable charge designed to strengthen the integrity of the U.S. visa system and reduce the number of visa overstays. Effective from the 2025 fiscal year, the fee will be a minimum of $250 and is an additional charge on top of existing visa processing fees. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has the authority to adjust this amount in the future for inflation.
Crucial Point: This fee does NOT apply to travellers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA). It applies to individuals who require a traditional non-immigrant visa, such as the B1/B2 tourist/business visa, F student visa, H-1B work visa, and others.
When and how do you pay?
- when to pay: The fee is charged at the time of visa issuance. Applicants whose visa requests are denied will not be required to pay the fee.
- layered costs: This $250 is an added financial burden. For example, an H-1B worker who previously paid a $205 processing fee will now face a minimum total cost of $455, before factoring in other potential surcharges.
- I-94 fee increase: Coinciding with this change, the fee for the Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record has also been increased from $6 to a minimum of $24.
Is the fee refundable?
In theory, yes. The law states that the fee is reimbursable if the visa holder fully complies with the terms of their visa, such as departing the U.S. on time and not engaging in unauthorised employment.
The Reality: Details on the actual refund process are currently unclear and largely undeveloped. Many experts believe that, in practice, the fee will act as a non-refundable extra cost for most travellers due to the anticipated complexity and length of the reimbursement procedure.
Anticipated impact
The new fee places a substantial financial burden on large families (potentially an additional $1,000 for a family of four). This has raised concerns about a potential negative impact on U.S. tourism, particularly ahead of major international events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the America 250 celebrations.
If you are planning to apply for a U.S. visa, be sure to budget for this new mandatory charge and monitor official announcements from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS) for implementation details, or consult with an immigration lawyer.
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