US to Add $250 Visa Integrity Fee for International Students, Workers, and Visitors

International travelers heading to the United States will face higher visa-related expenses starting in fiscal year 2025. A newly introduced visa integrity fee of $250 will be added to most non-immigrant visa categories. This change is a part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, under the administration of President Donald Trump.

What Is the Visa Integrity Fee and Who Will Be Affected?

The fee is set at $250 and will apply to all non immigrant visa fee categories. This includes B-1/B-2 visas for tourism and business, H-1B for skilled workers, F and M for students, and J for exchange programs. Diplomatic visa classes such as A and G are the only ones that remain unaffected.

What makes this fee stand out is that it is non-waivable. Even individuals with financial hardship must pay it upfront when their visa is issued. The Department of Homeland Security has stated that the amount will be adjusted each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

This new fee is seen as a way to hold applicants accountable for following visa regulations while in the United States. If the applicant meets all conditions of their stay, a refund may be granted. Otherwise, the money goes into the general fund of the US Treasury.

Added Expenses Raise US Visa Cost 

This new charge comes in addition to other mandatory fees. The standard visa fee of $185 will be charged along with the $250 visa integrity fee, a $24 I-94 arrival/departure fee, and, where applicable, either a $13 ESTA or a $30 EVUS fee.

These fees add to the financial pressure on students and professionals. Higher upfront costs may discourage applicants, especially younger individuals and first-time travellers. U.S. Travel Docs provides updated information on visa processing charges, which now reflect these added surcharges.

Conditions for a Refund Are Strict

Refunding the visa integrity fee is tied to very specific conditions. Anyone on a non-immigrant visa must:

• Avoid any unauthorized work or employment

• Leave the United States within five days after the legal stay ends, or apply for a valid extension or change of status

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Failing to meet these rules cancels any chance of getting the refund. This approach places responsibility entirely on the traveller. The DHS will be in charge of verifying compliance and managing any possible return of the fee. Further updates on how this will be processed are expected as the law rolls out in FY2025.

Who Is Not Affected by the Visa Integrity Fee?

Canadian citizens and travellers under the Visa Waiver Program will not be charged the new fee. Only those from countries like India, who must apply for non immigrant visa fee categories, are subject to the $250 charge.

Those with diplomatic visa classifications (A or G) will also remain exempt. Government officials traveling on duty and certain international organization workers do not have to pay the visa integrity fee, based on guidelines published by the U.S. Department of State.