The United States is introducing a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee for most non-immigrant visa applicants starting October 2025. This surcharge applies to tourist, student, work, and exchange visas. The goal is to discourage overstays and fund immigration enforcement, though travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries remain exempt from this added cost.
This fee, passed under the One Big Beautiful Bill signed on July 4, 2025, is non-waivable and may increase annually with inflation. It can, however, be refunded if travelers leave on time, maintain legal status, or successfully adjust their status in the United States. Applicants will need to apply for the refund themselves, which adds another step to the visa process.
The overall cost for visa applicants, especially from countries subject to visa requirements, will increase significantly. Including the base visa fee, the Visa Integrity Fee, and other charges, a tourist visa could now cost close to $472. This raises concerns among frequent travelers and students, who already navigate a complex and costly visa application process.
Travelers from countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program are not affected by this new fee and can continue using ESTA authorization for short visits up to 90 days. However, anyone needing a formal visa for study, work, or longer stays must be prepared for this additional financial burden.
(*) Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries as of now:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom.
All citizens from these countries can visit the US up to 90 days without a visa via ESTA authorization.
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