U.S. to Implement New $250 Visa Fee for International Visitors

The U.S. government will introduce a new “visa integrity fee” of at least $250 for international visitors who require a nonimmigrant visa. This measure is part of the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and although it has not yet been officially implemented, it has already sparked concern and raised numerous questions among travelers, attorneys, and travel agencies.

Also read: “Trump Proposes $5 Million Visa for Foreign Investors: Is It Viable?”

What is the visa integrity fee?

The fee is a new mandatory charge that must be paid by applicants for nonimmigrant visas, including tourists, business travelers, and international students. This fee will be in addition to the traditional fees already required in the visa application process.

For example, a worker applying for an H-1B visa—currently subject to a $205 application fee—would have to pay a total of $455 once the new fee takes effect.

When will it start being charged?

Although the minimum amount has already been set, the exact implementation date has not yet been confirmed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for overseeing its application. According to legal experts, additional regulations or official notices will be required before the fee can be formally collected.

How will reimbursement work?

The law states that the fee may be refundable, provided the visa holder complies with certain conditions, such as:

• Not accepting unauthorized employment.
• Not overstaying the visa expiration date (with a grace period of up to five days).

However, the reimbursement process is not yet clearly defined, and its implementation is expected to take several years. The Congressional Budget Office anticipates that only a small percentage of visitors will apply for a refund.

Because of this, some immigration lawyers recommend treating the fee as non-refundable in practice, due to potential delays and administrative complexities.

Who will be most affected?

According to experts, the groups most likely to be affected by this measure include:

• Tourists and business travelers with B1/B2 visas, as the new fee could significantly increase the cost of group or family travel.
• International students, who already face multiple expenses tied to their immigration and academic processes.

Additionally, the fee must be paid along with Form I-94, whose cost was also raised by the same law—from $6 to $24.

Conclusion

Although not yet in effect, the new visa integrity fee represents a significant change in the requirements for entering the United States. International travelers should stay informed about future official updates regarding implementation, additional costs, and refund conditions. Planning ahead and being well-informed will be key to avoiding unexpected complications and expenses.

From: https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/18/visa-integrity-fee-what-to-know-about-new-travel-fee-to-enter-the-us-.html#:~:text=Travelers%20to%20the%20U.S.%20must,integrity%20fee’%20%E2%80%94%20what%20to%20know&text=Visitors%20to%20the%20United%20States,fees%2C%20and%20may%20be%20reimbursable. 

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