A new $250 visa integrity fee applies to visitors entering the U.S. in 2025. Learn who must pay, how to get a refund, and what it means for travelers.
Table of Contents
📰 Introduction
Visiting the United States is about to get more expensive. A new “visa integrity fee” of $250 will soon apply to most travelers needing a U.S. visa, as part of the Trump administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Here’s what we know so far about the fee, how it works, and what travelers should prepare for.
💰 What is the Visa Integrity Fee?
The visa integrity fee is an additional charge for non-immigrant visa applicants entering the U.S. This fee:
- Will cost at least $250 for fiscal year 2025.
- Applies on top of existing visa fees, such as the H-1B application fee and the Form I-94 fee (recently raised from $6 to $24).
- Will adjust for inflation in future years.
🛂 Who Has to Pay?
All visitors needing a non-immigrant visa must pay this fee, including:
- Tourists (B1/B2 visas)
- Business travelers
- International students (F-1 visas)
If your visa application is denied, you won’t have to pay the fee.
🕒 When Does the Fee Start?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hasn’t announced an exact start date yet. Implementation will require cross-agency coordination, and official notice is expected in the Federal Register before collections begin.
💵 Can Travelers Get a Refund?
Yes — but with strict conditions:
- Travelers must comply with all visa rules, including:
✅ No overstaying beyond 5 days.
✅ No unauthorized employment. - Refunds will be issued after visa expiry, but the process is unclear and may take years to establish.
Immigration lawyer Steven Brown advises travelers to treat the fee as non-refundable, saying, “If you get it back, great. But don’t expect it.”
🚨 What Travelers Should Watch Out For
- Higher total costs: For example, an H-1B worker might pay $455 in total fees once this fee starts.
- Refund delays: The Congressional Budget Office estimates only a small number of travelers will seek reimbursement successfully.
🌐 Impact on Global Travel
This new fee could discourage international tourists and students at a time when the U.S. prepares for major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the America 250 celebration.
Geoff Freeman of the U.S. Travel Association called it a “foolish new fee on foreign visitors.”
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📌 FAQs
Q: When will the fee take effect?
A: DHS has not set an official date yet. Travelers should watch for updates in late 2025.
Q: Does this replace current visa fees?
A: No. It’s in addition to all existing visa charges.
Q: Will tourists get their money back?
A: Only if they fully comply with visa terms. Refunds will likely take years to process.
