US Introduces $250 Visa Integrity Fee for Non-Immigrant Visa Holders

The United States has rolled out a new fee for non-immigrant visa holders as part of President Donald Trump's immigration overhaul, codified in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The $250 Visa Integrity Fee, set to take effect in 2026, will be a mandatory security deposit for nearly all non-immigrant visa categories, with exceptions for diplomatic categories. The fee is pegged to inflation, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), and may be refunded if visa holders meet specific compliance criteria.

Key Takeaways:

• The $250 Visa Integrity Fee will be charged to nearly all non-immigrant visa holders, except for diplomatic categories (A and G).
• The fee will be pegged to inflation and adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• The total cost of a US tourist or business visa (B-1/B-2) for Indian applicants will rise from approximately $185 to around $472, factoring in the new surcharges.
• Visa holders may be eligible for a refund of the $250 fee if they leave the US within five days of their visa expiration without requesting an extension or change in immigration status.
• The refund process may involve substantial documentation, such as proof of timely departure or approved status adjustment.

Statistics:

• The $250 Visa Integrity Fee will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• The total cost of a US tourist or business visa (B-1/B-2) for Indian applicants will rise from approximately $185 to around $472, factoring in the new surcharges.
• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also introduces several other travel-related charges: $24 I-94 fee for all non-immigrant visa holders, $13 ESTA fee for Visa Waiver Programme travellers, and $30 EVUS fee for Chinese nationals holding 10-year B-1/B-2 visas.

Sources:

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act
• President Donald Trump's immigration overhaul
• Consumer Price Index (CPI)
• US Customs and Border Protection
• US State Department