The United States will introduce a new $250 “visa integrity fee” for most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including tourists, business travelers and students.
President Donald Trump signed into law a broad legislative tax and spending package, which includes immigration reforms, like the new fee.
The Department of Homeland Security will administer the fee, which is intended to supplement existing visa and entry fees and may be adjusted for inflation in future years. The exact start date is not finalized yet.
Why did lawmakers apply the new fee?
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Lawmakers who advocated for the visa integrity fee aimed to stop visa overstays and unauthorized work. The fee includes a reimbursement only if applicants do not overstay their visa or engage in unauthorized employment, according to the bill.
Proponents of the bill argue the extra fee will enhance the enforcement and integrity of the U.S. visa system and generate additional revenue for immigration enforcement and border security.
The fee will provide new funding for the Department of Homeland Security to support visa processing and enforcement activities, the bill says.
What should travelers know?
- The $250 visa integrity fee is in addition to the existing visa and Form I-94, which has increased from $6 to $24.
- The fee applies to most nonimmigrant visa applicants, with exemptions for Visa Waiver Program countries.
- Reimbursement is possible for those who comply with visa terms.
- The exact start date and refund process are not yet finalized.
Who must pay the fee?
The new fee applies to all travelers who require a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S. Citizens from more than 40 countries are included in the Visa Waiver Program, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The fee is paid when the visa is issued and is in addition to existing visa application fees and the Form I-94 fee.
Reimbursement policy
Travelers may be eligible for reimbursement of the $250 fee if they do not overstay their visa or participate in unauthorized work, the bill says.
Reimbursements will be processed after the visa expires. The exact process for obtaining a refund has not been announced yet.
Industry response
At least one travel official blasted the new fees.
“The smart investments in the travel process make foolish new fees on foreign visitors and reductions to Brand USA, America’s promotion arm, that much harder to swallow,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, in a statement after Congress approved a legislative package sent to Trump for signature. “Making America the world’s most visited destination — and capitalizing on the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics — requires smarter policy and legislative changes that we are already pursuing.”
Raising fees on lawful international visitors functions as a self-imposed tariff on international travel spending, which is one of the United States’ most significant exports, according to Freeman.
These additional fees are not intended to enhance the travel experience for visitors, according to Freeman, instead, he said, they may discourage people from visiting, especially at a time when foreign travelers are already concerned about how welcome they feel in the U.S. and the overall high cost of travel.