An IMGW News Report
The United States is set to introduce a new “Visa Integrity Fee” of at least $250 for international travellers, as part of a provision in the Trump administration’s recently passed domestic policy bill. This fee will be added to existing visa application charges and applies to foreign nationals requiring nonimmigrant visas, including leisure and business visitors, international students, and other temporary entrants. In fiscal year 2024, the US issued nearly 11 million nonimmigrant visas, according to State Department figures.
Notably, travellers from Visa Waiver Programme countries such as Australia and several European nations will remain exempt for stays of 90 days or fewer.
The fee must be paid at the time the visa is issued, with no waivers available. However, travellers who comply with visa conditions will be eligible for a refund once their visit concludes. Immigration lawyer Steven A. Brown referred to the charge as a “refundable security deposit,” though the mechanics of claiming a refund remain unclear.
“The purpose of the fee remains somewhat ambiguous,” Brown stated. “Typically, immigration fees are intended to cover processing costs, but the reimbursement provision could suggest the return of the entire fee. Ideally, there would be no overstays or violations.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which is implementing the new fee, has yet to release further details on the refund process or other aspects of the policy’s execution. A DHS spokesperson noted, “The visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation.”
“travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries such as Australia and several European nations will remain exempt for stays of 90 days or fewer”
A State Department spokesperson confirmed that the fee was introduced to “bolster immigration enforcement, reduce visa overstays, and fund border security.” Unclaimed fees will be deposited into the general fund of the US Treasury.
For fiscal year 2025, the fee will be set at the greater of $250 or an amount determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, with annual adjustments for inflation.
The U.S. Travel Association, which advocates for increased tourism to the US, criticised the new fee. While it supported other aspects of the policy bill, such as funding for customs and air traffic control upgrades, it described the visa fee as “a significant step backwards.” According to the association, the new fee will increase the upfront cost of visiting the US by 144%, potentially deterring international visitors.
“This additional financial burden, even if refundable, will likely discourage potential visitors,” said Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association (CNN.com).
