The visa integrity fee is a new $250 surcharge for most non-immigrant U.S. visa applicants, implemented on October 1, 2025, in addition to the standard visa application fee. It is intended to fund immigration enforcement and border security but does not apply to countries in the Visa Waiver Program, and Canadian citizens are also generally exempt. The fee is meant to be refundable if visa holders comply with the terms of their visa, although the process for this refund is not yet fully clear. 

International students who need a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S. must pay the new $250 visa integrity fee. This fee is in addition to other standard visa application fees and applies to most non-immigrant visa categories, including student (F/M), business, and tourist visas. It does not apply to citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, most Canadians, or those who already hold a valid visa. 

• When to pay: 
  The fee is paid when the visa is issued, in addition to all other required fees. 
• Other considerations: 
  The fee is a minimum of $250, and the amount may be adjusted annually for inflation. 

Does the fee replace other visa fees?

No, the provision states that the new fee is “in addition to” other fees, including regular visa fees.

“For example, an H-1B worker already paying a $205 application fee may now expect to pay a total of $455 once this fee is in place,” Steven A. Brown, a partner at the Houston-based immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, wrote in a post on his firm’s website.

Additionally, the fee must be paid on top of a “Form I-94 fee,” which the One Big Beautiful Bill Act increased from $6 to $24. That fee must be paid by anyone who is required to submit a Form I-94 arrival and departure record, which applies to most travelers.

Who is Affected and Who is Not Affected ?

• Affected: The fee applies to most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including tourists (B-1/B-2), international students (F-1), temporary workers (H-1B), and exchange visitors (J-1). It is paid per person, so a family of four would pay an additional $1,000.
• Not Affected: The fee does not apply to individuals from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), such as most European nations, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and Israel. Canadian nationals on short visits are also exempt, as they typically do not require a nonimmigrant visa. 

Benefits of the Fee:

The fee is designed to:

• Deter Overstays: By requiring a financial deposit, the government hopes to reduce the number of people who remain in the U.S. past their authorized stay.
• Fund Border Security: Revenue generated from the fee is intended to support immigration enforcement and border security efforts.
• Generate Revenue: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates the fee could generate billions of dollars in revenue over a decade, which could be used to reduce the national debt. 

Refundability

The fee is technically refundable, but the refund process is not yet clearly defined, and some experts advise applicants to consider it a non-refundable cost. To be eligible for a refund, visa holders must meet certain conditions: 

• Compliance: They must comply with all visa conditions, such as not accepting unauthorized employment.
• Departure: They must either depart the U.S. no later than five days after their visa expires or obtain a legal extension or adjustment of status to permanent resident.
• Timing: Refunds would only be issued after the visa has expired, which could be many years after the fee was paid. 

Purpose of the fee:

• Discouraging visa overstays: 
  The fee is a financial incentive to encourage visitors to comply with their visa's expiration date. 
• Promoting compliance: 
  It aims to ensure foreign nationals adhere to the terms of their visas, such as not working without authorization. 
• Funding immigration system: 
  The U.S. government states the fee will help restore integrity to the immigration system, though specifics are not detailed in the provided snippets. 

How the fee works ?

• Timing: The fee is typically paid at the time the visa is approved.
• Refund: Applicants may be eligible for a refund of the $250 once they have complied with the terms of their visa, such as returning home by the designated date. 
• Refund process: The specifics of how to obtain the refund are still unclear. 
• Additional cost: The fee is in addition to the standard visa application fee. 

Effect on incoming travelers

Brown said the visa integrity fee will likely impact B visa holders — or leisure and business travelers — and international students more than other types of travelers.

“For B visa holders, they may not want to add an additional $250 per person to their trip costs,” he said.

The new fee, plus the I-94 fee, come as the United States prepares to host several major events in 2026, including the “America 250” celebration, in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary, and parts of the FIFA World Cup.