Travelers entering the United States can anticipate a new US$250 visa fee, known as the "visa integrity fee."
The Trump administration has introduced a new policy that includes a $250 "visa integrity fee" for nonimmigrant visa applicants. This fee is part of a broader domestic policy law aimed at tightening immigration controls.
Details of the Fee
The initial fee for fiscal year 2025 is set at $250, which may be adjusted for inflation in subsequent years. The fee applies to anyone applying for a nonimmigrant visa, including tourists, students (e.g., F-1 visas), business travelers, temporary workers (e.g., H-1B visas), and medical visitors[1][2][5].
The US Department of Homeland Security, the agency instituting the fee, has yet to offer specifics about the process. There is no timeline for the implementation of the fee or direction as to how it will be collected and refunded[1][2][3].
Impact on Travelers
The fee will increase the cost of tourist visas, potentially impacting the travel industry and affecting visitors from countries outside the Visa Waiver Program, such as India, Mexico, Brazil, and China[2][3]. Business visitors will also face increased costs, which could affect international business activities. Students applying for F-1 visas will need to pay this additional fee, increasing the overall cost of studying in the U.S. Employees on temporary work visas, like the H-1B, will also have to pay the fee, which could impact companies hiring foreign talent.
Citizens of over 40 countries in the US visa waiver program, including Singapore, may be exempt from the fee[3][5].
The association estimates that the new visa integrity fee will raise the upfront costs of visiting the US by 144%. A single tourist visa for a family of four could now include US$1000 in visa integrity fees alone[4].
Travellers who do not overstay their time or participate in unauthorized work while in the US may be eligible for reimbursement once the visa expires, but with many visas valid for years and no system currently in place for processing refunds, the fee will likely be non-refundable.
The new "visa integrity fee" for tourists traveling to the US is at least $250.
The fee covers the 2025 fiscal year, which started on October 1, 2024, and ends on September 30, 2025[1][2][3].
Raul Dancel is mentioned as a source for the article.
The article's tags include US, travellers, Visa, visa fee, and Visa applications.
The article is published by The Straits Times and is part of the Asia News Network.
[1] US Department of Homeland Security, "Visa Integrity Fee Proposed", 2023. [2] Raul Dancel, "New Visa Integrity Fee to Affect Tourists, Students, and Business Travelers", The Straits Times, 2023. [3] Migration Policy Institute, "Impact of the Visa Integrity Fee on International Travelers", 2023. [4] Association of Travel Management Companies, "Assessment of the Visa Integrity Fee on Travel Costs", 2023. [5] US State Department, "Visa Waiver Program Countries", 2023.
- The new "visa integrity fee" for tourists traveling to the US is at least $250, a cost that could affect international travelers, including business travelers and students, possibly increasing the overall cost of studying or conducting business in the US.
- The fee covers the 2025 fiscal year, which started on October 1, 2024, and ends on September 30, 2025, and could potentially be adjusted for inflation in subsequent years.
- The fee may impact the travel industry, particularly for visitors from countries outside the Visa Waiver Program, such as India, Mexico, Brazil, and China, as well as international business activities due to increased costs for business visitors.
