U.S. Introduces $250 Visa Integrity Fee for Non-Immigrant Applicants
The United States has announced a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which will apply to the majority of non-immigrant visa categories starting in fiscal year 2025.
The new surcharge will be added to existing visa application fees, dramatically increasing the total cost for many applicants wishing to visit, study, or work in the United States.
TravelBiz reports that the cost will cover a wide range of visa types, such as J for exchange travellers, F and M for students, H-1B for skilled professionals, and B-1/B-2 for business and tourism.
The additional fee will only apply to holders of diplomatic and international organization visas under categories A and G.
The fee will increase the cost of a B-1/B-2 visa from its current $185 (about ₦292,000) to nearly $435 (approximately ₦686,000).
The Visa Integrity Fee, according to the government, is intended as a compliance tool to promote legal conduct and deter visa overstays. Its purpose is to encourage visa holders to follow the conditions of their stay properly.
Applicants who completely adhere to visa requirements, such as leaving the country within five days after the end of their permitted stay, may be eligible for refunds. Refunds, however, are not given out automatically and call for official documentation of compliance. Generally speaking, no exemptions, reductions, or waivers will be given.
Beginning in 2026, the price is anticipated to increase annually, with the Department of Homeland Security overseeing modifications linked to inflation. The strategy has raised concerns among frequent travelers, international students, and companies that rely on foreign talent, especially in countries where there is a high demand for U.S. visas, despite being presented as a mechanism to increase immigration compliance.
Prospective tourists are being advised to account for the higher expenses as implementation draws near while organizing their study, travel, or employment plans in the US. The policy, which emphasizes greater accountability for non-immigrant visa holders, represents a larger change in U.S. immigration and visa enforcement.
The Visa Integrity Fee is categorized as a recurrent levy under the law. Evidence of complete compliance, such as a timely departure or a legal change in immigration status, is required to be eligible for a refund. If an application does not match the requirements, the fee will be kept and transferred to the general fund of the U.S. Treasury. Refunds can only be granted after the visa expires.
U.S. Introduces $250 Visa Integrity Fee for Non-Immigrant Applicants, affecting tourists, students, workers, and exchange visitors from 2025.
