The United States has introduced a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee as part of President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration overhaul, embedded in the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted on July 4. Designed as a form of security deposit, the fee is pegged to inflation and may be refunded if visa holders meet specific compliance criteria.
The Visa Integrity Fee, which takes effect in 2026, applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories—including tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F and M), work visas (H-1B), and exchange visas (J). Only diplomatic categories (A and G) are exempt.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will collect the surcharge at the time of visa issuance, on top of existing application fees. The amount will be revised annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), turning it into an inflation-linked cost.
The visa reform is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten immigration enforcement and discourage visa overstays.
Alongside the Integrity Fee, the bill 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.
These fees are non-waivable and will be charged regardless of the applicant’s financial status or country of origin.
How it will affect Indians?
As of now, a US tourist or business visa (B-1/B-2) for Indian applicants costs approximately $185 (₹15,855). However, once the new surcharges come into effect, the total cost will rise significantly. Factoring in the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, the $24 I-94 fee, and the $13 ESTA fee, the overall expense for a B-1/B-2 visa will climb to around $472 (₹40,456) — nearly 2.5 times the current cost.
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The US government retains the authority to revise this amount through future regulations. Starting in 2026, the Visa Integrity Fee will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effectively turning it into a recurring, inflation-indexed cost for all applicants.
Billed as a kind of security deposit, the fee is designed to encourage compliance with US immigration laws — particularly ensuring that visitors leave the country on time or properly adjust their status.
While the initiative may help reduce visa overstays, critics argue that it could also deter genuine, law-abiding travellers and stifle cultural exchange, especially for applicants from developing countries who already face financial hurdles.
How to get the US Visa Integrity Fee refunded?
While the Visa Integrity Fee can be refunded, doing so won’t be easy. The conditions are strict, and the process is far from automatic.
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Visa holders may apply for a refund only if they leave the US within five days of their visa expiration without requesting an extension or change in immigration status. Alternatively, they may qualify if they successfully adjust to permanent residency before their I-94 record — the official arrival/departure record issued by US Customs and Border Protection — expires.
Even if eligible, applicants must provide substantial documentation, such as proof of timely departure or approved status adjustment. Without this, the $250 fee will be forfeited to the US Treasury’s general fund.
The US State Department is expected to release further guidance on how the refund process will work in practice.
For many travellers — especially students and tourists from developing countries — the added cost of the Visa Integrity Fee is a significant financial burden, one that may require careful planning before making the journey to the United States.
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