U.S. to Introduce New $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ for Most Foreign Travelers

Washington, D.C, The United States will implement a new Visa Integrity Fee starting October 1, 2025, requiring most applicants for nonimmigrant visas to pay an additional charge of at least $250.

The measure is part of the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, introduced under the administration of former President Donald Trump, aimed at tightening U.S. immigration policies and discouraging visa overstays.

The fee will apply to most nonimmigrant categories — including tourists, business visitors, students, and temporary workers — especially from countries not part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) such as India, Pakistan, China, Nigeria, and Brazil.

Visa Waiver Countries Exempt

Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries, including the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia, will remain exempt from this new fee — provided their stay is under 90 days and for tourism or business purposes.

Refund Only If Conditions Met

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states that the fee will be refundable only if applicants fully comply with the terms of their visa, such as departing on time and avoiding illegal employment.

However, immigration experts have raised concerns about the vagueness of the refund process, with some warning that delays and unclear procedures might make it functionally non-refundable.

Steven A. Brown, an immigration attorney at Reddy Neumann Brown PC, commented:

“It’s being framed as a refundable security deposit, but unless the refund process is clearly defined and efficiently executed, most travelers might never get their money back.”