Washington, D.C., August 5, 2025 – The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant change to its visa fee structure, introducing a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee for most nonimmigrant visa categories, effective October 1, 2025. This fee, mandated by the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will impact millions of visa applicants worldwide, including those applying for B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F/M (student), H-1B (work), and J (exchange visitor) visas.
The Visa Integrity Fee is in addition to existing charges, such as the $185 Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee, reciprocity fees, and anti-fraud charges, pushing the total cost for many applicants significantly higher. For example, Indian nationals applying for a B-1/B-2 visa can expect to pay approximately $425-$473 (₹36,690-₹40,785), depending on the visa category. This marks a substantial increase, raising concerns among frequent travelers, students, and professionals.
The U.S. Department of State has stated that the new fee aims to strengthen visa processing integrity and enhance border security measures. Applicants may be eligible for a refund of the fee if they comply with visa conditions, such as timely departure from the U.S. or a change in immigration status. However, the refund process remains unclear, with potential delays of several years, prompting criticism from advocacy groups and applicants alike.
Starting in 2026, the Visa Integrity Fee will adjust annually for inflation, potentially increasing costs further. Exemptions apply to diplomatic visa holders (A and G categories) and travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, including Australia, Japan, and most of Europe, who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
In addition to the Visa Integrity Fee, other changes include an increase in the I-94 fee, which will rise from $6 to $24, and the ESTA fee for visa-waiver travelers, which will increase from $21 to $40. These adjustments are expected to impact travel planning and budgeting for millions of international visitors.
Travel industry experts and visa applicants are urging the U.S. government to provide clearer guidance on the refund process and to streamline visa processing to mitigate delays. “The new fee structure could deter tourism and business travel, especially for families and students,” said Priya Sharma, a Bengaluru-based travel consultant. “Applicants should plan ahead and budget for these additional costs.”
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and consulates across India have advised applicants to check the official website, travel.state.gov, for the latest updates on visa fees and application procedures. For those seeking programmatic access to visa-related information, the xAI API service offers additional resources at x.ai/api.
As the October 1 deadline approaches, prospective travelers are encouraged to apply early to avoid potential backlogs and ensure compliance with the new fee structure.
