The measure will affect millions of people applying for visas to travel for study, tourism, business, or work, and represents a significant change in U.S. immigration requirements.
The U.S. government has recently established a new visa fee that will impact millions of travelers. Below are the details of what it entails and which countries will be affected by this new charge.
What does the new fee consist of?
The new fee is called the “Visa Integrity Fee” and consists of an additional charge of $250. This amount is separate and is added to the regular visa application fee (currently $185 for a B1/B2 tourist visa).
Key Points:
- Higher Total Cost: For a tourist, the total cost to obtain a visa will rise to $435 ($185 + $250).
- Purpose: The fee has been presented as a sort of “compliance bond.” The intention is for the amount to be refundable if the visitor complies with all visa conditions.
- Conditions for Refund: To request a refund of the $250, the traveler must:
- Not exceed the authorized length of stay.
- Not have worked illegally in the country.
- Leave the United States within the stipulated period after their visa expires.
- Effective Date: The implementation of this new fee is expected to begin in the U.S. fiscal year 2026, which starts on October 1, 2025.
This charge was established as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed into law in July 2025.
Which countries are affected?
The new “Visa Integrity Fee” affects all citizens of countries that are not part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
In simple terms, if a citizen needs to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate to travel, they will be subject to this new fee. This includes the majority of countries in:
- Latin America and the Caribbean (with the exception of Chile).
- Africa.
- Asia.
- The Middle East.
Countries with a high volume of visa applications, such as Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, India, China, and Nigeria, are among those directly affected.
Exempt Countries:
Citizens of the 42 countries that belong to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will not be affected by this fee. These travelers can enter the United States for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa, using only an electronic travel authorization (ESTA). Some of these countries include Spain, Germany, France, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Chile.
Diplomatic visas are also exempt from this new charge.
