Starting in Fiscal Year 2025, international visitors to the United States who require non-immigrant visas will face a significant new cost: a “visa integrity fee” of at least US$250. The new charge, introduced under a domestic policy bill enacted during the Trump administration, is intended to bolster immigration enforcement, deter visa overstays, and support broader border security initiatives.
The fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa categories, affecting millions of travelers — including tourists, business visitors, international students, and temporary workers — who must obtain a visa to enter the U.S. In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, the State Department issued nearly 11 million such visas.
Travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, such as Australia, Japan, and most European nations, are exempt from the new fee for short stays of 90 days or less. However, they will see an increase in their Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fees, which are set to rise from the current U$21 to at least U$40.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the agency responsible for implementing the visa integrity fee, has yet to finalize the logistics of the new policy. According to the bill, the fee must be paid upon visa issuance, with no waivers allowed. However, visitors who fully comply with the terms of their visas may apply for a refund after completing their trip — though the process for reimbursement remains unclear.
An immigration attorney described the fee as a “refundable security deposit,” noting that the refund mechanism has yet to be defined by DHS. A spokesperson from DHS stated that cross-agency coordination is required before full implementation of the fee. Meanwhile, the State Department confirmed that additional details will be posted on its visa information website as they become available.
Unrefunded fees will be transferred to the U.S. Treasury’s general fund, and the amount of the fee will be subject to annual inflation adjustments. The policy gives the Secretary of Homeland Security the authority to revise the fee through official rulemaking procedures published in the Federal Register.
Not all stakeholders are welcoming the change. The U.S. Travel Association criticized the policy, warning it could dissuade international tourists and business travelers. The association estimates that the policy will increase the total upfront cost of visiting the U.S. by 144%, potentially reducing inbound tourism despite the fee’s refundability. The group noted the practical challenge of providing reimbursements for visas valid for up to 10 years.
Critics argue the policy could harm U.S. competitiveness as a global travel destination, especially as countries around the world compete to attract international visitors in a post-pandemic recovery landscape.