Indian nationals planning to travel to the United States – whether as tourists, students, or skilled professionals – will soon face a steep hike in visa-related costs, thanks to a new mandatory $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ introduced by the US government.
The fee is part of US President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4, and will apply to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F and M (student), H-1B (work), and J (exchange) visas. Only diplomatic visas (A and G categories) are exempt from the surcharge.
The fee must be paid at the time the visa is issued and will be in addition to the regular visa application fees already in place.
The $250 (Rs 21,400 approx.) charge will be effective starting fiscal year 2025 and is expected to rise annually from 2026 onward, adjusted for inflation. As reported by India Today, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) retains the authority to alter the amount each year, making it a recurring and gradually increasing burden for visa applicants.
Unlike standard visa application fees, the Visa Integrity Fee cannot be waived, reduced, or exempted for most travellers. However, applicants may be eligible for a refund if they strictly comply with all visa terms, such as avoiding unauthorised employment and exiting the US within five days after their authorised stay, unless they’ve received a valid extension or changed status legally.
The fee is widely seen as a security deposit, aimed at encouraging lawful conduct among foreign visitors during their stay in the US.
The immigration services firm Fragomen, based in the US, pointed out that this Visa Integrity Fee is part of a broader overhaul of travel-related charges, including:
- A $24 I-94 fee for arrival/departure records
- A $13 ESTA fee for travellers under the Visa Waiver Programme
- A $30 EVUS fee applicable to some Chinese nationals
For Indian applicants, the financial impact is substantial. The current cost of a B-1/B-2 visa is $185 (approximately Rs 15,855). With the addition of the new fees, this could rise to around $472 (nearly Rs 40,456) - a 2.5x increase in total visa expenses.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
