If you thought getting a U.S. visa was already costly and nerve-wracking — brace your self. A new obligatory payment is coming your approach, and it’s not only a minor change. The United States is about to implement a sweeping coverage: a $250 Visa Integrity Fee for almost all non-immigrant visa candidates, together with vacationers, college students, interns, and overseas staff.
This isn’t a rumor — it’s legislation. And it might price people and households a whole lot and even 1000’s of {dollars} extra simply to get a visa stamp.
What Just Happened?
On July 4, 2025, the U.S. authorities quietly signed into legislation the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1)”, which legally mandates the introduction of a Visa Integrity Fee. While the headlines have been buried beneath different political noise, this transfer despatched shockwaves by immigration attorneys, universities, and employers worldwide.
This means: If you’re planning to study, go to, work, and even accompany somebody to the U.S., it’s possible you’ll now have to pay an extra $250 payment per visa — on prime of the present MRV visa charges and SEVIS prices.
Who’s within the Crosshairs?
This new payment targets a variety of visa candidates:
- Tourists and Business Visitors (B-1/B-2)
- International Students (F-1, M-1) and their spouses/youngsters (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 extra
Even relations and kids shall be charged the identical $250 payment individually. A household of 4? That’s $1,000 additional, simply to obtain your visa stamps.
Who’s Safe?
You’re off the hook provided that:
- You’re from a Visa Waiver Program nation coming into with ESTA
- You’re a Canadian or Bermudian coming into visa-free
- You’re making use of for a diplomatic visa (A or G).
How Much, and How Often?
The Visa Integrity Fee comes with a flat cost of $250 per individual for every visa issuance. This means each particular person applicant—no matter age or relation to different candidates—should pay the complete quantity. There are no group reductions or household bundles, so households making use of collectively will want to price range individually for every member. Beginning in fiscal 12 months 2026, the payment may also be adjusted yearly based mostly on inflation, that means the price might rise 12 months after 12 months.
When and Where Will You Pay?
Here’s the unsettling part: the precise course of hasn’t even been revealed but.
- The payment shall be collected solely after a visa is permitted, on the issuance stage
- If your visa is denied, you gained’t pay it — however…
- Once permitted, you’ll be anticipated to pay earlier than the embassy fingers over your passport
Agencies like DHS and the State Department haven’t printed detailed rules on how or when the gathering begins — including much more uncertainty to the method.
Can You Get a Refund?
Technically… perhaps.
If you:
- Obey all U.S. immigration legal guidelines
- Don’t overstay or work illegally
- Depart the U.S. on time or lengthen/modify your standing lawfully
Then you may be eligible for a refund after your visa expires. But the refund course of just isn’t outlined but — and specialists warn it might be so advanced that most individuals gained’t hassle.
When Will It Take Effect?
Although the Visa Integrity Fee was formally signed into legislation on July 4, 2025, the precise date for when assortment will start stays unconfirmed. However, immigration analysts anticipate that the rollout might begin as early as October 1, 2025, which marks the start of the U.S. federal fiscal 12 months. Until formal rules are printed, there’s nonetheless a window of uncertainty—so it’s essential for candidates to carefully monitor updates from the Federal Register and official U.S. authorities sources, as implementation might be introduced at any second.
Quick Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fee Name | Visa Integrity Fee |
| Amount | $250 per individual per visa issued |
| Applies To | Most non-immigrant visa classes |
| Exemptions | ESTA vacationers, Canadians, Bermudians, diplomats |
| Payment Due | After visa approval, earlier than stamping |
| Refundable? | Possibly, publish-visa expiration if totally compliant |
| Enforcement Start | Likely from October 1, 2025 |
What You Should Do Right Now?
- Recalculate your visa price range — issue within the new payment, particularly in case you’re making use of with dependents.
- Don’t wait — in case you’re planning to apply quickly, beat the implementation earlier than it turns into energetic.
- Track bulletins — observe DHS, USCIS, and your native U.S. consulate web sites.
- Document all the things — if you’d like any hope of getting that refund later, monitor your visa compliance completely.
References
US to Charge $250 Visa Integrity Fees Starting October 1, 2025 FULLY FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS
