New U.S. Visa Integrity Fee

Understanding the New U.S. Visa Integrity Fee: What You Need to Know

A significant change is coming for many international travelers planning to visit the United States: the introduction of the new Visa Integrity Fee. Signed into law on July 4, 2025, under what's been called the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," this fee aims to add an extra layer of cost for certain non-immigrant visa holders. Here's a breakdown of what the fee entails and who it affects.

What is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The Visa Integrity Fee is a new, non-waivable charge of at least $250 that will apply to nearly all individuals seeking a nonimmigrant visa for travel to the United States. This includes a wide range of visitors, such as tourists, students, and temporary workers. It is an additional cost on top of all existing visa application and processing fees, like the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) application fee and reciprocity fees.

For the U.S. Fiscal Year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, the fee is set at a minimum of $250. Starting in Fiscal Year 2026, this amount will be automatically adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to account for inflation.

Who Does It Affect?

The fee broadly affects all nonimmigrant visa categories. This means if you're applying for visas such as:

• F-1/F-2 (Students)

• J-1/J-2 (Exchange Visitors)

• H-1B/H-4 (Temporary Workers)

• B-1/B-2 (Business/Tourism, if a visa is required)

You will likely be subject to this new charge.

However, there are important exemptions. Travelers entering the U.S. who do not require a visa are exempt from this fee. This notably includes:

• Travelers under the Visa Waiver Program: Citizens of countries participating in this program (such as the UK, Australia, Japan, and Singapore) who travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less.

• Most Canadian citizens: Who generally do not require a visa for certain types of travel to the U.S.

When Does It Go into Effect and How Will it Be Collected?

While the law is technically effective immediately, the collection mechanism for the Visa Integrity Fee is not yet operational. As of now, specific details on how the fee will be paid have not been clearly established, and the statute does not specify which government agency will be responsible for collecting it.

Potential for Reimbursement

One unique aspect of the Visa Integrity Fee, unlike many other visa-related charges, is the potential for reimbursement. Nonimmigrants may be eligible for a refund if they fully comply with the terms and conditions of their visa. This includes actions such as:

• Avoiding unauthorized employment while in the U.S.

• Departing promptly from the U.S. no later than five days after their visa expires.

• Obtaining lawful extensions to their stay.

• Adjusting their status to that of a lawful permanent resident.

  
  

However, it's important to note that the specific details on how to apply for reimbursement and the required evidence are currently unclear. These processes are expected to be established through future rulemaking by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee also has significant implications for H-2 visa holders, including temporary agricultural (H-2A) and non-agricultural (H-2B) workers. While the fee applies to all nonimmigrant visa categories, a key point of uncertainty remains regarding who will bear the cost for H-2 visa applicants—the employer or the worker. This ambiguity could significantly impact employers who rely on H-2 workers. For an H-2 employer with an average workforce of 10 workers, this new $250 fee per worker would translate to an additional $2,500 in costs (10 workers * $250/worker), potentially adding a notable burden to their operational expenses.

In addition to the new Visa Integrity Fee, travelers should also be aware of an increase in the Form I-94 fee, which has been raised to $24. This adds another layer to the overall cost of visiting the U.S.

Stay Informed

The Visa Integrity Fee represents a new financial consideration for many international travelers to the U.S. While the fee itself is set, the operational details surrounding its collection and the reimbursement process are still being ironed out. If you plan to travel to the U.S. on a nonimmigrant visa, it's crucial to stay informed about updates from official U.S. government sources regarding this new fee.