New U.S. Visa Integrity Fee Set to Increase Costs for International Travelers

Starting in fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, most foreign visitors applying for a U.S. visa will be required to pay a new “visa integrity fee” of at least $250 — a cost that comes in addition to existing visa fees.

What Is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The new fee is part of President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which aims to tighten U.S. immigration policy. It applies to all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including tourists (B visas), business travelers, and international students.

The fee must be paid when a visa is issued, meaning those whose applications are denied will not be charged. It will also be adjusted for inflation in future years.

Not a Replacement — But an Addition

This $250 fee is separate from and in addition to other visa-related charges. For example, an H-1B applicant who already pays a $205 application fee will now likely pay $455 total. Travelers must also pay an increased Form I-94 fee, which recently rose from $6 to $24.

Can Travelers Get Reimbursed?

Yes — but it's complicated. Visa holders may be eligible for a refund after their visa expires if they comply with all visa terms, such as not overstaying by more than five days and avoiding unauthorized employment.

However, the reimbursement process has not yet been defined. Experts caution against counting on it. “Treat the fee as nonrefundable,” said immigration attorney Steven A. Brown. “If you get it back, great.”

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that few will seek reimbursement and expects it will take the Department of State years to build the system to process refunds. Still, the CBO forecasts that the new provision will raise $28.9 billion and help reduce the federal deficit over the next decade.

Implementation Still Unclear

As of now, the visa integrity fee is not yet in effect, and many details remain unsettled — including when it will begin and how the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will collect it. Since DHS does not handle visa issuance, inter-agency coordination will be required.

A DHS spokesperson acknowledged that implementation will take time and coordination, while the U.S. Travel Association questioned the logistics: “Where and when would DHS collect the fee?”

Potential Impact on Travel

The new fee is expected to affect leisure and business travelers the most. “They may not want to add an additional $250 per person to their trip costs,” Brown noted. This comes just ahead of major U.S. events like America’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which were expected to draw millions of international visitors.

Additionally, the U.S. has recently slashed funding for Brand USA, its official tourism promotion agency, from $100 million to $20 million, which may further dampen international travel interest.

Why It Was Introduced

While overstay rates are relatively low — between 1% and 2% in recent years — government data estimates that about 42% of the 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. entered legally but overstayed their visas. The fee is intended to incentivize compliance and restore “integrity” to the immigration system, according to DHS.

Final Thoughts

The visa integrity fee marks a significant shift in U.S. visa policy. While it may help bolster border enforcement and reduce overstays, it also raises costs and uncertainty for travelers — with many implementation details still up in the air.

Travelers planning to visit the U.S. in 2025 and beyond should monitor developments closely and budget accordingly, treating the fee as a likely nonrefundable expense.