|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Starting October 2025, a new mandatory fee will take effect for foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a nonimmigrant visa. Known as the Visa Integrity Fee, this charge was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025. According to CNBC, the fee will be at least $250 and will be added on top of existing visa application costs.
Option Trip – This new requirement applies to all foreign applicants who need a nonimmigrant visa — including tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B/H-4), and exchange program (J) visas. Exemptions apply to citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, such as Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom, as well as most Canadians and Bermudians. Forbes notes that this $250 charge will place additional financial strain on applicants from countries like India, China, Nigeria, Brazil, and others in parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The fee will be collected only if the visa is approved, meaning rejected applicants will not be charged. As immigration attorney Steven A. Brown of the Houston-based firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC explains, an H-1B applicant who currently pays $205 may soon have to pay at least $455. Additionally, CNBC reports that the legislation also raises the I-94 processing fee (entry/exit record) from $6 to $24.
There is a possibility for a refund of the $250 — but only if all visa conditions are strictly followed. This includes not engaging in unauthorized employment and not overstaying the visa by more than five days. According to the law, refunds will be issued only after the visa expires. As USA Today reports, the exact reimbursement process remains unclear for now.
Immigration policy experts warn that the additional fee may discourage many applicants, particularly from less affluent regions. “An extra $250 could become a serious obstacle for families planning a temporary visit to the U.S.,” said Jorge Loweree, Managing Director of Programs and Strategy at the American Immigration Council, in an interview with USA Today.
The policy is expected to take full effect by October 1, 2025, and will be jointly managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State. As Forbes emphasizes, implementation details are still being refined and may be subject to change.
In conclusion, the Visa Integrity Fee represents another tightening of U.S. visa policy — a move aimed at strengthening border enforcement, but one that may create additional barriers for millions of prospective travelers and students worldwide.