Published on
September 15, 2025
As part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its visa program, Japan, alongside South Korea, China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, will now face a new charge under the U.S. visa program. This change, which affects several major countries, will introduce a Visa Integrity Fee aimed at improving the compliance monitoring of nonimmigrant visa applicants. The fee, set to take effect from October 1, 2025, will significantly impact travelers from these nations seeking various types of U.S. visas, including tourist, business, student, and work-related visas.
The new charge is part of a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy, aimed at enhancing the security and integrity of the visa issuance process. While this fee will apply to most visa applicants from the listed countries, it will primarily target nonimmigrant visa categories like B-1/B-2 (visitor visas), F/M (student and exchange visitor visas), and various work visas (H, L, O, P, Q, R). For many travelers, this new charge could increase the cost of applying for a U.S. visa, which may have ripple effects on international business, education, and tourism.
In this article, we explore the reasons behind this new fee, its expected impact on citizens from Japan, South Korea, China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, and what applicants need to know moving forward.
New U.S. Visa Fee Structure and Integrity Fee for Indian Travelers
For Indian citizens, the process for entering the United States can be done either by applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or through other applicable visa categories, depending on the purpose of travel.
B-1/B-2 Visa
Indian citizens looking to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment must apply for the standard B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The required MRV fee for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Fifty Five for applicants aged 14 and older. This fee is standard for non-immigrant visas globally.
New Visa Integrity Fee and Future Costs
Starting in October 2025, all Indian applicants for non-VWP (Visa Waiver Program) visas, including B-1/B-2, will be subject to a Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty. This fee will apply to all travelers who need to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. The Visa Integrity Fee will significantly increase the total cost for applicants. After October 2025, the total cost for an Indian citizen applying for a B-1/B-2 visa will be USD Four Hundred Five (the MRV fee of USD One Hundred Fifty Five + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
Key Fee Changes for India in 2025MRV fee: USD One Hundred Fifty Five for B-1/B-2 visa applications for adults (standard for all non-immigrant visas).Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty, applicable to all non-VWP travelers, starting in October 2025.
The introduction of this new fee is part of the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to enhance visa security and integrity.
Updated U.S. Visa Fees for Japanese Travelers: Short-Term and Long-Term Visas
For Japanese citizens, entering the United States can be done by applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or other applicable visa categories depending on the purpose of travel.
B-1/B-2 Visa
Japanese citizens who wish to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment are required to apply for the standard B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The MRV fee for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Sixty for applicants aged 14 and older. This is the standard fee for non-immigrant visa applications globally.
Visa Fees for Different Age GroupsAdults (age 14 and older): The MRV fee for adults applying for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Sixty.Minors (under 14): The MRV fee for minors is reduced to USD Seventy for a B-1/B-2 visa application.New Visa Integrity Fee and Future Costs
Starting in October 2025, all Japanese citizens applying for a non-VWP visa, including the B-1/B-2 visa, will be required to pay the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty. This fee will apply to all travelers from non-VWP countries, including Japan. Therefore, the total cost for Japanese applicants applying for a B-1/B-2 visa will increase to USD Four Hundred Ten (the MRV fee of USD One Hundred Sixty + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
For minors applying for the reduced MRV fee, the total cost will be USD Three Hundred Twenty (the MRV fee of USD Seventy + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
Key Fee Changes for Japan in 2025MRV fee: USD One Hundred Sixty for adults (age 14 and older) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.MRV fee: USD Seventy for minors (under age 14) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty, applicable to all non-VWP travelers, starting in October 2025.
These changes reflect the U.S. government’s effort to enhance the visa process security and ensure the integrity of the system, which will affect all non-VWP countries, including Japan.
Revised U.S. Visa Fees for South Korean Nationals: What You Need to Know
For South Korean citizens, entering the United States can be done by applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or other relevant visa categories depending on the purpose of travel.
B-1/B-2 Visa
South Korean citizens who wish to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment need to apply for the standard B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The MRV fee for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Fifty Five for applicants aged 14 and older, which is the standard fee for non-immigrant visa applications globally.
Border Crossing Card (BCC) for South Korean Citizens
South Korea is not part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), so South Korean citizens must apply for a visa when traveling to the U.S. There is no separate Border Crossing Card (BCC) system available to South Korean citizens, as this card primarily applies to citizens of Mexico. Therefore, travelers from South Korea need to apply for the appropriate visa based on their purpose of visit.
New Visa Integrity Fee and Future Costs
Starting in October 2025, all South Korean citizens applying for a non-VWP visa, including the B-1/B-2 visa, will be required to pay the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty. This fee will be applicable to all travelers from non-VWP countries, including South Korea. Therefore, the total cost for South Korean applicants for a B-1/B-2 visa will increase to USD Four Hundred Five (the MRV fee of USD One Hundred Fifty Five + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
Key Fee Changes for South Korea in 2025MRV fee: USD One Hundred Fifty Five for B-1/B-2 visa applications for adults.Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty, applicable to all non-VWP travelers, starting in October 2025.
This increase in fees is part of the U.S. government’s broader initiative to enhance visa security and ensure the integrity of its visa processing system.
Visa Fee Changes for Chinese Travelers to the U.S.: Extended Validity for Short-Term Visas
For Chinese citizens, entering the United States can be done by applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or other relevant visa categories, depending on the purpose of travel.
B-1/B-2 Visa
Chinese citizens who wish to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment are required to apply for the standard B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The MRV fee for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Sixty for applicants aged 14 and older. This is the standard fee for non-immigrant visa applications worldwide.
Visa Fees for Different Age GroupsAdults (age 14 and older): The MRV fee for adults applying for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Sixty.Minors (under 14): The MRV fee for minors is reduced to USD Seventy for a B-1/B-2 visa application.New Visa Integrity Fee and Future Costs
Starting in October 2025, all Chinese citizens applying for a non-VWP visa, including the B-1/B-2 visa, will be required to pay the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty. This fee will apply to all travelers from non-VWP countries, including China. As a result, the total cost for Chinese citizens applying for a B-1/B-2 visa will increase to USD Four Hundred Ten (the MRV fee of USD One Hundred Sixty + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
For minors applying for the reduced MRV fee, the total cost will be USD Three Hundred Twenty (the MRV fee of USD Seventy + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
Key Fee Changes for China in 2025MRV fee: USD One Hundred Sixty for adults (age 14 and older) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.MRV fee: USD Seventy for minors (under age 14) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty, applicable to all non-VWP travelers, starting in October 2025.
These fee changes reflect the U.S. government’s effort to improve the visa process security and ensure the integrity of the system, affecting all non-VWP countries, including China.For Chinese citizens, entering the United States can be done by applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or other relevant visa categories, depending on the purpose of travel.
New US Visa Fees for Indonesian Travelers: Key Changes and Visa Integrity Fee
For Indonesian citizens, entering the United States can be done by applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or other relevant visa categories depending on the purpose of travel.
B-1/B-2 Visa
Indonesian citizens who wish to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment must apply for the standard B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The MRV fee for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Fifty Five for applicants aged 14 and older. This is the standard fee for all non-immigrant visa applications globally.
Visa Fees for Different Age GroupsAdults (age 14 and older): The MRV fee for adults applying for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Fifty Five.Minors (under 14): The MRV fee for minors is reduced to USD Seventy for a B-1/B-2 visa application.New Visa Integrity Fee and Future Costs
Starting in October 2025, all Indonesian citizens applying for a non-VWP visa, including the B-1/B-2 visa, will be required to pay the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty. This fee will apply to all travelers from non-VWP countries, including Indonesia. Therefore, the total cost for Indonesian applicants applying for a B-1/B-2 visa will increase to USD Four Hundred Ten (the MRV fee of USD One Hundred Fifty Five + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
For minors applying for the reduced MRV fee, the total cost will be USD Three Hundred Twenty (the MRV fee of USD Seventy + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
Key Fee Changes for Indonesia in 2025MRV fee: USD One Hundred Fifty Five for adults (age 14 and older) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.MRV fee: USD Seventy for minors (under age 14) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty, applicable to all non-VWP travelers, starting in October 2025.
These fee changes reflect the U.S. government’s effort to enhance the visa process security and ensure the integrity of the system, affecting all non-VWP countries, including Indonesia.
Updated U.S. Visa Fee Structure for Vietnamese Nationals: What You Need to Know
For Vietnamese citizens, entering the United States can be done by applying for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa or other relevant visa categories depending on the purpose of travel.
B-1/B-2 Visa
Vietnamese citizens who wish to visit the United States for tourism, business, or medical treatment are required to apply for the standard B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The MRV fee for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Fifty Five for applicants aged 14 and older. This is the standard fee for all non-immigrant visa applications globally.
Visa Fees for Different Age GroupsAdults (age 14 and older): The MRV fee for adults applying for the B-1/B-2 visa is USD One Hundred Fifty Five.Minors (under 14): The MRV fee for minors is reduced to USD Seventy for a B-1/B-2 visa application.New Visa Integrity Fee and Future Costs
Starting in October 2025, all Vietnamese citizens applying for a non-VWP visa, including the B-1/B-2 visa, will be required to pay the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty. This fee will apply to all travelers from non-VWP countries, including Vietnam. Therefore, the total cost for Vietnamese applicants applying for a B-1/B-2 visa will increase to USD Four Hundred Ten (the MRV fee of USD One Hundred Fifty Five + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
For minors applying for the reduced MRV fee, the total cost will be USD Three Hundred Twenty (the MRV fee of USD Seventy + the Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty).
Key Fee Changes for Vietnam in 2025MRV fee: USD One Hundred Fifty Five for adults (age 14 and older) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.MRV fee: USD Seventy for minors (under age 14) applying for B-1/B-2 visas.Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty, applicable to all non-VWP travelers, starting in October 2025.
These fee changes reflect the U.S. government’s effort to enhance the visa process security and ensure the integrity of its visa system, affecting all non-VWP countries, including Vietnam.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the introduction of the new Visa Integrity Fee and revised U.S. visa fees for Japan, South Korea, China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam marks a significant shift in the visa application process. Travelers from these countries should stay informed about these changes to ensure a smooth application experience and plan accordingly for the increased costs.
