2 minute read | Last update: August 25, 2025
The United States has recently approved a new Visa Integrity Fee, which will soon apply to a wide range of U.S. tourism and business visas. The measure is part of the 2025 Reconciliation Bill and is expected to take effect in late 2025 or early 2026.
For international travelers, the new fee will add to the existing costs of entering the U.S. In this post, we explain who will be subject to the charge, as well as what's known about refund policies and the details on enforcement.
What Is the U.S. Visa Integrity Fee?
The Visa Integrity Fee is an additional surcharge that will be charged for U.S. visas and entry permits. The new fee will be charged on top of standard processing costs that travelers already pay for visas or I-94, parole, and TPS fees.
The Integrity Fee is set at $250. It's designed to fund national security, border management, and immigration enforcement. This new measure was officially announced on July 4, 2025, when President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) into law.
The law covers a broad set of immigration categories, including the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA), U.S. tourist and business visas, I-94 forms, TPS (Temporary Protected Status), and parole programs.
Who Will Be Affected by the Integrity Fee?
According to the bill, the fee will apply to both immigrant and non-immigrant categories. This means that almost everyone applying for a U.S. visa or travel permit will have to pay the extra $250.
The U.S. Visa Integrity Fee could impact:
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Applicants for B1/B2 visas
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Visa Waiver Program travelers applying for ESTA
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Users of I-94 forms, TPS, and parole procedures
How Will the New Visa Fee Work?
Details about how the Integrity Fee for U.S. visas will be rolled out and implemented are still being confirmed.
It’s thought that the Visa Integrity Fee will be collected during the application process, along with the standard application fee. Travelers will be obliged to make payment through the same online platforms already used for visa or ESTA requests.
Refund rules are not yet finalized. As it stands, the law does not confirm whether applicants will be eligible for money back if their entry permit is denied, they withdraw their applications, or cancel travel.
Experts currently anticipate that the $250 fee will be non-refundable. It's important to bear this in mind in case your application is not accepted, and you're unable to travel to the United States.
When Does the Fee Start Being Collected?
The legislation sets the measure's start date to sometime between October 2025 and early 2026. However, as yet the effective start date has not been officially announced.
If you’re planning to visit the U.S. soon and need an entry permit, make sure to monitor any updates closely. It’s possible that applying earlier may help avoid the extra cost.
What Impact Is Expected?
The increase in U.S. visa prices is expected to affect both tourism and business travel.
Countries with high travel volume to the U.S., like Mexico, India, Canada, and Brazil, are expected to feel the biggest impact. Frequent visitors, including foreign students and business professionals, may see their costs rise significantly for regular trips to the United States.
Some travel associations have raised concerns that increased costs may discourage international visitors from traveling to the United States. In particular, the added cost to ESTA fees is notable, given that they are currently relatively low.
On the other hand, Republican lawmakers argue that the funds raised from the Integrity Fee will strengthen U.S. immigration systems and improve border security.
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