Visitors to the United States will soon need to pay a “visa integrity fee” due to a provision in the Trump administration’s recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
This fee applies to all visitors who need nonimmigrant visas to enter the country, and unfortunately, it cannot be waived.
What You Need to Know About the Fee
The fee will be at least $250 (approximately $383 AUD) during the US fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025.
However, the secretary of Homeland Security has the freedom to set the fee higher.
The visa integrity fee will be adjusted for inflation after the initial fiscal year.
Who Must Pay the New Fee?
The “visa integrity fee” applies to all visitors who need nonimmigrant visas, including tourists, business travellers, and international students.
When Is the Fee Paid?
The fee is paid when the visa is issued, so visitors whose visa requests are denied won’t be charged.
Does the Fee Replace Other Visa Fees?
No, the new fee is “in addition to” other fees, including regular visa fees.
For example, an H-1B worker already paying a $205 application fee may now expect to pay a total of $455 once this fee is in place.
How Can Travellers Get Reimbursed?
To get their money back, visa holders must comply with the conditions of the visa, including not accepting unauthorized employment and not overstaying the visa validity date by more than five days.
Reimbursements will be made after the travel visa expires.
What Isn’t Known
The fee has not yet been implemented, and it’s unclear when it will begin.
It’s also unclear how travellers will pay the fee and how the reimbursement process will kick in.
The Purpose of the Fee
The “visa integrity fee” is intended to restore integrity in the US immigration system.
Data shows that most visa holders comply with their visa terms, but an estimated 42% of the approximately 11 million unauthorized population living in the US entered the country legally but overstayed their period of admission.
Effect on Incoming Travellers
The visa integrity fee is likely to impact B visa holders (leisure and business travellers) and international students more than other types of travellers.
The new fee, plus the I-94 fee, comes as the US prepares to host several major events in 2026, including the “America 250” celebration and parts of the FIFA World Cup.