The United States has made a new change in its visa rules under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which became law on July 4. A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee has been introduced, which will apply to most non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students, workers, and exchange visitors. This fee will start from the year 2026.

The Visa Integrity Fee is part of President Trump’s efforts to make sure that people follow US immigration laws strictly. It acts like a security deposit and may be refunded only if the visa holder follows certain rules.

Who has to pay the fee?

According to the new law, “any alien issued a non-immigrant visa” will have to pay this mandatory fee. This includes:

  • Tourist/Business Visas (B-1/B-2)
  • Student Visas (F/M)
  • Work Visas (H-1B)
  • Exchange Visas (J)

The only people who don’t need to pay this are those applying for diplomatic visas (A and G categories). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will collect this fee when the visa is issued, along with the usual visa charges.

In addition to the $250 fee, the new law also introduces other fees:

  • $24 I-94 Fee (for arrival/departure record)
  • $13 ESTA Fee (for Visa Waiver Programme travellers)
  • $30 EVUS Fee (for certain Chinese nationals with 10-year B-1/B-2 visas)

These fees “are not waivable,” as reported by Fragomen, a US-based immigration services company.

At present, a US tourist/business visa for Indians costs about $185 (Rs 15,855). With the new fees, including the $250 Integrity Fee, the total cost could go up to around $472 (Rs 40,456)—nearly 2.5 times more than the current amount.

From 2026 onwards, the Visa Integrity Fee will also increase every year based on inflation, following the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Can the fee be refunded?

Yes, but only in very specific cases. Visa holders may get their $250 fee back “if they depart from the US within five days of their visa expiration without seeking an extension or status change, or if they successfully adjust to permanent residency before the I-94 expiry date.”

The I-94 is a document issued to non-immigrants when they enter the US. The refund process is not automatic. People must provide strong proof, such as flight records or legal paperwork, to claim their refund. If they fail to follow the rules, the fee will go to the US Treasury’s general fund.

Officials believe the new fee might help reduce visa overstays. However, some experts warn it could “discourage lawful visitors and even limit cultural exchanges, particularly for applicants from developing nations.”

This means that students and tourists from countries like India might find it more difficult and expensive to travel to the US. Careful planning and understanding of the new rules will be important. Further details on how to claim refunds are expected soon from the US State Department.

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