If you thought getting a U.S. visa was already expensive and nerve-wracking — brace yourself. A new mandatory fee is coming your way, and it’s not just a minor change. The United States is about to enforce a sweeping policy: a $250 Visa Integrity Fee for nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students, interns, and foreign workers.
This isn’t a rumor — it’s law. And it could cost individuals and families hundreds or even thousands of dollars more just to get a visa stamp.
What Just Happened?
On July 4, 2025, the U.S. government quietly signed into law the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)”, which legally mandates the introduction of a Visa Integrity Fee. While the headlines were buried beneath other political noise, this move sent shockwaves through immigration lawyers, universities, and employers worldwide.
This means: If you’re planning to study, visit, work, or even accompany someone to the U.S., you may now have to pay an additional $250 fee per visa — on top of the current MRV visa fees and SEVIS charges.
Who’s in the Crosshairs?
This new fee targets a wide range of visa applicants:
- Tourists and Business Visitors (B-1/B-2)
- International Students (F-1, M-1) and their spouses/children (F-2, M-2)
- Exchange Visitors (J-1, J-2)
- Skilled Workers and Trainees (H-1B, H-2B, L, O, TN, H-4 dependents)
- Researchers, Professors, Tech Specialists, Caregivers, Performers, and more
Even family members and children will be charged the same $250 fee individually. A family of four? That’s $1,000 extra, just to receive your visa stamps.
Who’s Safe?
You’re off the hook only if:
- You’re from a Visa Waiver Program country entering with ESTA
- You’re a Canadian or Bermudian entering visa-free
- You’re applying for a diplomatic visa (A or G).
How Much, and How Often?
The Visa Integrity Fee comes with a flat charge of $250 per person for each visa issuance. This means every individual applicant—regardless of age or relation to other applicants—must pay the full amount. There are no group discounts or family bundles, so families applying together will need to budget separately for each member. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the fee will also be adjusted annually based on inflation, meaning the cost could rise year after year.
When and Where Will You Pay?
Here’s the unsettling part: the exact process hasn’t even been revealed yet.
- The fee will be collected only after a visa is approved, at the issuance stage
- If your visa is denied, you won’t pay it — but…
- Once approved, you’ll be expected to pay before the embassy hands over your passport
Agencies like DHS and the State Department have not published detailed regulations on how or when the collection begins — adding even more uncertainty to the process.
Can You Get a Refund?
Technically… maybe.
If you:
- Obey all U.S. immigration laws
- Don’t overstay or work illegally
- Depart the U.S. on time or extend/adjust your status lawfully
Then you might be eligible for a refund after your visa expires. But the refund process is not defined yet — and experts warn it could be so complex that most people won’t bother.
When Will It Take Effect?
Although the Visa Integrity Fee was officially signed into law on July 4, 2025, the exact date for when collection will begin remains unconfirmed. However, immigration analysts anticipate that the rollout could start as early as October 1, 2025, which marks the beginning of the U.S. federal fiscal year. Until formal regulations are published, there’s still a window of uncertainty—so it’s crucial for applicants to closely monitor updates from the Federal Register and official U.S. government sources, as implementation could be announced at any moment.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee Name | Visa Integrity Fee |
| Amount | $250 per person per visa issued |
| Applies To | Most non-immigrant visa categories |
| Exemptions | ESTA travelers, Canadians, Bermudians, diplomats |
| Payment Due | After visa approval, before stamping |
| Refundable? | Possibly, post-visa expiration if fully compliant |
| Enforcement Start | Likely from October 1, 2025 |
What You Should Do Right Now?
- Recalculate your visa budget — factor in the new fee, especially if you’re applying with dependents.
- Don’t wait — if you’re planning to apply soon, beat the implementation before it becomes active.
- Track announcements — follow DHS, USCIS, and your local U.S. consulate websites.
- Document everything — if you want any hope of getting that refund later, track your visa compliance thoroughly.