The United States is set to implement a new $250 “visa integrity fee” for the majority of nonimmigrant visa applicants, covering tourists, business visitors, and students.
President Donald Trump enacted a comprehensive legislative tax and budget package, which features immigration changes, including the new fee.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will oversee the fee, designed to add to current visa and entry charges and could be modified for inflation in the coming years. The specific start date has not been confirmed yet.
What was the reason legislators implemented the new charge?
Lawmakers who supported the visa integrity fee sought to prevent visa overstays and illegal employment. The fee involves a refund only if applicants do not remain beyond their visa’s expiration or participate in unauthorized work, as outlined in the legislation.
Supporters of the legislation claim that the additional fee will improve the enforcement and reliability of the U.S. visa process and provide more funds for immigration control and border protection.
The cost will offer additional financial support for the Department of Homeland Security to assist with visa processing and enforcement efforts, according to the legislation.
What should travelers know?
- The $250 visa integrity charge is in addition to the current visa and Form I-94, which has gone up from $6 to $24.
- The charge is applicable to the majority of nonimmigrant visa applicants, except for those from Visa Waiver Program countries.
- It is possible to receive reimbursement for individuals who meet the conditions of their visa.
- The specific start date and the procedure for refunds have not been decided yet.
Who is required to pay the charge?
The updated fee is applicable to all travelers needing a nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States. U.S. officials state that citizens from over 40 countries are part of the Visa Waiver Program.Customs and Border Protection.
The charge is made at the time the visa is granted and is in addition to current visa application fees and the Form I-94 fee.
Reimbursement policy
Individuals who travel might qualify for a refund of the $250 charge if they don’t remain beyond their visa’s allowed period or engage in work that isn’t permitted, according to the legislation.
Refunds will be handled once the visa has expired. The specific procedure for receiving a refund has not been disclosed at this time.
Industry response
At least one transportation representative criticized the new charges.
“The wise investments in the travel process make the new fees imposed on foreign visitors and cuts to Brand USA, America’s promotional agency, much more difficult to accept,” said Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association,in a statementAfter Congress approved a legislative package intended for Trump’s signature, he stated, “Making America the world’s top travel destination—and taking advantage of the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics—demands better policy and legal reforms that we are already working on.”
Increasing charges for legal international travelers acts as a voluntary tax on spending related to international travel, which is one of the United States’ major exports, as stated by Freeman.
These extra charges, as Freeman explained, are not meant to improve the visitor’s journey. Rather, he mentioned, they could deter individuals from coming, particularly during a period when international travelers are already worried about feeling welcomed in the U.S. and the significant expenses involved in traveling.
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