The United States is adding a new $250 “visa integrity fee” for visitors who require visas, though as of now there are more questions than answers.
In this post:
Millions of US visitors face hefty “visa integrity fee”
We recently saw President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill Act” signed into law, which has lots of implications for the country. There’s one that will impact travelers, which is particularly confusing. I’m not here to dramatize anything, so you can read the bill at this link, and specifically, look at section 100007.
The bill calls for the introduction of a new $250 “visa integrity fee,” which is supposed to apply to all visitors who come to the United States on non-immigrant visas, so that includes tourists, international students, and business travelers. In 2023, the United States issued more than 10 million of these visas, just for context.
According to the text of the bill, the fee is effective the current federal fiscal year, which actually ends in a couple of months — it runs October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025. For subsequent years, the amount of the fee can be adjusted based on inflation. That “visa integrity fee” is in addition to all the other types of fees that already exist for those applying for a visa.
So, what is this new “visa integrity fee?” The idea is that the fee is essentially a “deposit,” of sorts, to make sure you behave while you’re in the United States. Visa holders who are subject to the fee may later be reimbursed, as long as they comply with their visa’s restrictions, like leaving the United States before the visa expires, and not working without authorization.
However, the law doesn’t specify how the fee will be collected, or how travelers will be reimbursed if they comply with restrictions. It’s also not clear if this will apply retroactively, or what, since this supposedly applies for the current fiscal year. A government spokesperson has simply stated that “the visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation.”
The United States also plans to raise the Form I-94 fee from $6 to $24, and add a new $100 fee for asylum seekers. My goodness, the United States sure is turning into an ultra low cost carrier!
I’m confused by the logistics & motivation of this
Is there something I’m missing, or can anyone fully make sense of this? Essentially, the United States will be holding a $250 deposit from roughly 10 million visitors annually.
If the goal is to make sure people follow the rules while in the United States (which I can understand), then it doesn’t seem like potentially paying a $250 penalty will be a sufficient deterrent to not violate the rules. Like, that’s less than the fee you could face if your car is towed.
If someone wants to overstay their visa or work while in the United States, I don’t think the $250 fee will do much to impact their behavior. Is the intent here simply to try to deter non-rich tourists from visiting?
Next, the logistics here just seem like a nightmare. Will this be made part of the process of applying for a visa? And how will refunds be issued? Will they have to be requested, or will they be automatic, as long as you don’t get into trouble? You’ve gotta assume that a not-insignificant percent of people may find themselves having issues with getting the refund, and I can only imagine how the “customer service” will be in those situations.
Look, I’ll admit I don’t usually read entire government bills, because I’d have to set aside days at a time to do so. But it’s fascinating to actually read the language here, because it really feels like the “visa integrity fee” concept was drawn up without much thought being put into how this will actually be executed.
Bottom line
The United States is adding a new $250 “visa integrity fee” for foreign visitors who require a visa for the United States. The mandate is clear, but the logistics of how this fee will be charged are a lot more confusing. This is supposed to apply as of the current fiscal year, so expect that this will be implemented in the very near future.
What do you make of this new “visa integrity fee?”
Blame the Democrats for running one of the worst candidates in history. When you run morons as your candidates for President and VP you will usually loose.
This fee would apply to non-visa-waiver nations, aka most of the developing world. It's inhibiting for people coming from less wealthy nations. This fits several of the maga & fascist goals.
So:
* less people of color visiting, less exposure to the world for non-traveling Americans
* less soft power (American influence in positive ways such as culture, emulation, showing how actually great we are) which makes it more necessary to wield hard...
This fee would apply to non-visa-waiver nations, aka most of the developing world. It's inhibiting for people coming from less wealthy nations. This fits several of the maga & fascist goals.
So:
* less people of color visiting, less exposure to the world for non-traveling Americans
* less soft power (American influence in positive ways such as culture, emulation, showing how actually great we are) which makes it more necessary to wield hard power (military, sanctions, etc) down the road. Suits the project2025 people just fine.
* Diverting money from being spent in the economy to money devoted to the feds, which as we saw with the Big Ugly Bill is now a giant drain to fatten oligarchs and big corps. They'll do anything to generate more cash flow for that 12th yacht
No benefit for the nation, reputation, or economy. But plenty of damage to go around.
War on tourism.
"...it really feels like the “visa integrity fee” concept was drawn up without much thought being put into how this will actually be executed."
Like everything else these idiots have come up with:
step 1: idea!
step 2: ?
step 3: profit!
No thought on how to actually implement said thing.
I read the $250 does not apply to the esta visa. Is the 10 million visa applicants you quoted, including esta visas? Because if that 10m included esta tourist visas then it is incorrect.
Esta is not a Visa
It is at least visa adjacent. You can’t come in to the country without filling it out and getting approval
I think there is an important detail that is missing here. The system is different. For many or most countries or regions there is an entrance and exit immigration check, but the US only has the check at entering. If for some other countries or regions, it could be simply returned upon exit, for example.
Most tourists enter with a ESTA, which is not a visa, at a nominal cost. I assume the $250 slug applies to the minority of entrants who do in fact need to apply for a visa.
They can kiss their $250 goodbye forever if the likes of the IRS is administering the crazy program.
In all, another good reason to not visit the US, as if anymore were needed.
Yeah. An ESTA. Which is essentially Visa Lite. And a dumb remnant of the early war on terror era. And something that closes up the world just a little bit more
At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if most countries friendly to the US, especially those on the Visa Waiver Programme, start implementing visas on American citizens. Or at least remove them from the privilege of accessing special privileges like e-gates in Britain. I wouldn't necessarily like it, but I couldn't blame them if it were to come to that.
I love America, and am proud to be a US citizen. But our country's reputation...
At this rate, I wouldn't be surprised if most countries friendly to the US, especially those on the Visa Waiver Programme, start implementing visas on American citizens. Or at least remove them from the privilege of accessing special privileges like e-gates in Britain. I wouldn't necessarily like it, but I couldn't blame them if it were to come to that.
I love America, and am proud to be a US citizen. But our country's reputation is being tarnished by those whose only brand of patriotism is wrapping themselves in a flag or subscribing to some cult of scatterbrained dumbos who represent the minority of the American public. It's sad to see what has happened to the country that saved the world from the evils of fascism and communism, while showing an image of hope and openness for everyone to see. This damage is going to take time to undo.
I’m not proud to be an American anymore
So 250 plus 160 for the visa? Prepare to pay reciprocal $410 visa fees for those countries that require them of us.
Also... I just wonder how the US government (and Republicans) would react if other countries began requiring social media information from visa/e-visa applicants.
I don't think the $250 fee applies to indiviuals from "Visa Waiver" countries. which is where most tourists come from.
It’s just a money maker, pure and simple. — if not by simply keeping the fees (think 10 million visitors x $250), the interest alone at those numbers would be huuuuge. It’s embarrassing. This bill is full of “not thought through” BS.
Fantastic news. It will go a small way to pay for all the bad people from these places who abuse American hospitality and exploit the system. If they want the end of it, they need to become more honest countries and respect America. Simple as that.
LOL.
Unfortunately this is not satire for many. But yeah. International visitor spending to the US is projected to fall to just under $169BN this year, down from $181BN in 2024. This only will make the loss (including of jobs) even higher.
Winning, baby, winning!
You should have a test run on that Kool Aid you drank. I will humor you and ask if that “refundable fee” is going to seriously deter from anyone with “really big” plans on coming to the US to swindle the almighty rich country? If you think it will ten anticipate the fraudulent calls, emails, and texts to multiply exponentially.
You mean like Americans coming to Europe. Such a redneck.
I think everyone misunderstands this fee. The fee is actually a charge for “visitors” to help the current administration to buy “integrity”. It is something they don’t have and are unable to get on their own.
Given the ESTA price doubling, and the I-94 price quadrupling, we won't see European visitors anymore who often save money staying just south of the US border in Washington state while visiting the Vancouver, BC area in Canada. This is a direct and immediate hit on our border communities which have already been punched in the face with tariffs.
And Drumpf don’t care
So now its $250 and anyone can take a flight here? Before, the targeted group here were on submarines and crawling through tunnels. If you are going to overstay any visa here for work purposes, +$250 is a blessing for them. Why stop at $250? make it $0 or the amount of money needed (to be shown) to apply for a USA visa. Wild times.
People don't want to visit America. And with good reason.
Don't worry, if America thinks you're a bad boy, American bombs will visit you right after CIA failed to put Elmo as your leader.
This will help limit people that overstay visas and come her for the purpose of remaining illegally. When I checked into a Chicago airport the other night the hotel took a $300 refundable security deposit. When I check out on time and leave the room in satisfactory condition the fee is refunded. But I guess the hotel is being "racist" for such security deposit.
Its moronic. As if a 250 deposit is going to affect if someone will overstay the visa or remain illegally. Youd just give it as a 250 charge and do it anyway if you were intending on doing that.
People pay coyotes $10,000 a head for crossing the border. But go on about the $250 gatekeeping fee to keep them out. This is just going to keep tourists out.
I concur with our fellow commenters, George. I'd consider a $250 fee a rounding error on a trip. Most would.
I'm surprised they didn't apply this to Canadians. There, you laughed because it's absurd and therefore "they would never..."
The express language of the statute states that the fee is imposed when a visa is issued. But, there are those who are enrolled ESTA and have received visa waivers. They are not issued a visa . . . and the fee should not be imposed on them.
Correct, it does not apply to tourists from Canada and much of Europe. Just everyone from Latin America, Africa and most of Asia. You know, those with darker skin.
It applies to those countries whose citizens have high overstay rates. It has absolutely nothing to do with the color of one's skin. If it did the govt would start doing visa waiver for white skinned Mexicans, South Africans, etc who do have much lower overstay rates than those of their darker skinned brethren. Quite pretending this is a racist policy.
It applies to those countries whose citizens have high overstay rates. It has absolutely nothing to do with the color of one's skin. If it did the govt would start doing visa waiver for white skinned Mexicans, South Africans, etc who do have much lower overstay rates than those of their darker skinned brethren. Quite pretending this is a racist policy.
My understanding is that it would be reimbursed once the visa is expired…so after 10 years…?
After confusing and missing paperwork, yes you should get your $250 back even if this bill has tanked the USD and it's worth only half of when you paid.
Having just queued 2 hours at IAD to get into the US from the UK. I can’t imagine the chaos of adding another step and taking a deposit from people in the way in
It's even more galling when you consider that almost every visitor arriving in the UK on a United States passport can sail through the border e-gate in just a few seconds, even though UK passport holders visiting the US are treated like they've arrived from Yemen with North Korean travel documents.
Time for Reciprocal Traveller Tariffs. UK and EU could eliminate US Passports from the scanning machines sending each to an Immigration Desk manned by only one person where they will each pay their 250 Euro deposit and be on their way. maybe within 2 hours.
@Pete
Everyone wants the US.
No, it's just that few other countries are as fanatically paranoid as the United States. In-person inspections at the border are an anachronism that's been eliminated in many other places without causing any problem. They know who you are and when you're arriving long before you even depart. The kabuki at the border is as unnecessary.
@Pete
Other countries have significantly more surveillance and/or are much smaller.
We're talking about passengers arriving at points of entry on scheduled commercial flights, not swimming across a river to cross the border in the dead of night.
@Pete
You want to make sure people don't overstay their visas.
Most, if not all of the wacky, woke idiosyncratic nonsense comes directly from the U.S. or their imitators in the EU parliament. This sort of ‘jobs-worth’ gobbledygook will kill international tourism, the airline and home tourism industries, however, it will cut carbon emissions …. Oh really!
Woke?
Pray tell what you think that means and how it applies in this case?
If one has to ask such a question, then one must assume that the inquisitor is an advocate of the U.S. woke culture infecting the world like the Chinese virus did.
@aerob13a I’m interested too. What is “woke” about a visa fee? I’m baffled. I don’t believe you have answered this question.
You clearly have zero clue about legislature process in the EU.
Samo, you would be seriously mistaken there old bean. One has absolutely nothing nice to say about the EU “Legislature process”. The EU hogs have their snouts in the trough and are riding the gravy train for all its worth. Please don’t get me going on that despicable subject …. :-)
LOL, people are still trying to reason with this British Tim Dunn alter ego?
LOL Aero thinks the Orange bellend in the White House (or his sycophants in Congress) presides over a "woke" government. If Donald is woke, would that make the center Mussolini and the right wing Genghis Khan and the far right Satan himself?
According to CNBC's website:
"The 'visa integrity fee' applies to all visitors who need nonimmigrant visas, which includes tourists, business travelers and international students. Some visitors, including those from Australia, Japan and many nations in Europe, may not need visas to enter under the Visa Waiver Program."
If the refund is not automatic and you have to apply for it, what happens if you don’t—or you forget—to promptly apply? Will that be considered proof that you overstayed your visa and will therefore be denied future entry into the US?
You do know that the entry and exit of your passport is recorded? I forgot the website but there is one to see the history of your entry/exit to US. I am sure they will just make you forfeit the amount after a period of not claiming if it was the case you mention
There is no passport control process when you fly out of the US. Also, unlike entry to the US, there is no specific CBP interview or check by any customs officers as part of the exit process. US Exit records are automatically tracked using the data shared from the Airlines or Ships. It is important to have a copy of your boarding pass or travel itinerary to be safe for the future. If exiting at a land border or a cruise port, good luck.
Many other countries charge a exit visa. In Djibouti it ranges from 230 to 460 bucks and clearly a hustle. Many Arab nations do the same.
Those exit visas are for people who are there under work visas, not tourist visas.
So the United States is happy to be known as a money-grubbing shthole autocracy?
Oh, wait...
There is no exit fee for Djibouti, I was there twice last month as a tourist.
‘Merica, Land of the Fee
This would require a new, big, bloated beaurocracy to implement. Isn't that was DOGE and Trump were against?
Agree with others that this may have been more of an accounting scheme during writing the bill.
What was it that Kirby said the other day about "permanent" ....something related to profitability?
Crazy concept! Not just for people visiting the USA... This seems like an instant cancellation of routes like Paris -> LA -> Tahiti, or Dubai -> Miami -> Bogota, and more. This would make no sense for airlines to operate flights via the USA. I would see Air Tahiti Nui operate flights via Vancouver if these rules get implemented, and Emirates discontinuing Bogota or connecting via Cancun, or other low-elevation airports in the region.
Why would Air Tahiti change the way they operate their flights? Most of their pax are French and they wouldn't be affected by this.
Ben, I am confused by you posting that you “are confused by the logistics & motivation of this”.
We all know that this president and his administration are clearly xenophobic and are making new rules to target foreigners. They are probably going to use the funds raised with this new fee to pay for more ICE raids on more hardworking strawberry pickers and day laborers in Home Depot parking lots.
Hahaha. Go down your rabbit hole with most commenters on the site.
Ben have this MAGA Deplorable’s comment removed please!!! This is not a forum for fascists.
It says "The Secretary of Homeland Security may provide a reimbursement..." It doesn't say "shall"
I saw an estimate that showed how much this fee was going to raise.
It failed to take into account that a lot of people just won't come, and the amount of money they would have spent here would have dwarfed this dumb $250 fee.
One would expect AeroB13a to have something to say about this but Tim Dunn doesn't seem to care so why would Aero? (or until US eastern time anyway)
So it's basically a deposit, meaning you get refunded if you abide by your visa conditions. As opposed to a fee which is non-refundable, no matter how you 'behave'. How terrible! The injustice of being refunded by Uncle Sam!! The sky is falling in...
Until the U.K, EU, Japan, etc all require the same from you. I will bet you are the first to come here and scream how unjust and outrageous it is.
I think most travelers will probably treat the $250 dollars like anybody else who has ever loaned Trump or Trump associates money and consider it gone forever.
Pretty much any country will also quickly reciprocate if they start getting charged this fee (perhaps some very tourism heavy places won't). But, "Thanks Don" for making it more expensive for American's to travel too.
Wouldn't be the first thing ol' TACO did to make our lives worse
Hello. My understanding is that this new fee will not apply to citizens of the 42 countries in US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Strictly, only for those who enter on the VWP, even if a citizen of those countries.
If one has been to a country on the list of dodgy countries (even as a aid worker) then one has to get a visa.
Cuba since 2021, Iraq, Somalia etc since 2011.
I'm not sure what happens if one went as a politician or a soldier.
WTF. I am an immigrant on a Work visa. The Visa process is already a nightmare, adding this BS will make it more miserable.
It doesn't make it more miserable. The process should be the same.
It's just more expensive up front.
You do have the option to stay home. I'm not an American but entering any country that isn't your own is a privilege.
You too have the option to not opine in the manner of a supercilious buffoon. After all, commenting on any website that isn’t your own is a privilege.
For everyone else, it’s perfectly fine to have an opinion about a country that is not your own and to be disappointed when a formerly friendly nation turns recalcitrant due to the elevation of a tarted up orange reality show impresario.
I feel truly sorry for people who have to travel to that place. I'd rather go to Pyongyang than New York at this point.
It’s a shame, because there are amazing sights and experiences to be had in the United States, but with even those who arrive on commercial flights with a valid ESTA and passport issued by nations that have been long-term US allies can run afoul of a tinpot Hitler at passport control who just happens to be having a crappy day.
So true!!
Sure, take the easy shot. How about Pyongyang versus a US city that isn't New York?
I feel so blessed to have been countless times to the United States (before 2025). More than I can count. Really. From doing crazy weekend mileage runs to spending 14 hours layovers.
Right now with this current administration, I really don't wanna go there. At all.
When you have a bunch of rednecks who’ve probably never left the country writing legislation, this is what you get. The embarrassment continues…
I suppose that this will also apply to connecting passengers, given the lack of “sterille transfers” in the US?
I suppose you can start by consuming news from an actual press organization not bloggers, TikTok or other social media.
@Eskimo
I suppose you can find a hole and crawl in it. One where the narrative is always yours. Oh, never mind, you are already there.
And thanks for coming all the way in whatever hole you think it is just to comment, TDS Karen.
I suppose could correct the information then?
I am curious to see what the cost to administer this program will be. In the long run, it will likely cost a lot more to administer than what will be collected. It is also likely to discourage tourists from coming to the country and spending money. $250 is unlikely to stop somebody who is planning to overstay a visa. Strange. It makes you wonder whether some private company will be "hired" to administer the...
I am curious to see what the cost to administer this program will be. In the long run, it will likely cost a lot more to administer than what will be collected. It is also likely to discourage tourists from coming to the country and spending money. $250 is unlikely to stop somebody who is planning to overstay a visa. Strange. It makes you wonder whether some private company will be "hired" to administer the program, how much they will be paid, and to whom they are related.
With Trump, cruelty is the point. Not efficacy. Efficacy, when it happens, is a collateral benefit. This is a man who couldn't run a casino profitably.
Highlighting your point, there is a $100 fee for asylum seekers. The US has never charged people fleeing danger in their home countries for claiming asylum. Vile and appalling behavior. Wonder if there will be a waiver for white farmers from South Africa?
@Tony
Not only in congress. On this site as well. You only have to take a passing glance at some of the comments that are based solely on xenophobia and bigotry that give support to these inane policies.
While America is being fleeced right in front of our eyes.
LBJ said, "If you can convince the lowest white man he's better than the best colored man, he won't notice you're picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he'll empty his pockets for you."
So yeah - same playbook. Donald is using white rural America's bigotry to distract from all the ways he's fleecing them.
Government needs every penny it can hoard with all the unchecked money printing debt.
Welcome to the US…if you have $250. Starting to feel like we are being modeled after countries like Qatar and the UAE. If you went to see where Trump wants to take us just look at the GCC.
Yeah, not understanding all of this. Like, why charge more for foreigners to visit our national parks? What country does that? Are we trying to discourage tourism/visitors? To what end?
Actually a lot of countries do. The difference in price between locals and foreign prices in Argentina and South Africa is eye watering.
I'll be extremely disappointed not to be able to buy my $80 America the Beautiful pass any more.
Citizens of South Africa and Argentina have vastly lower average purchasing power compared to the United States, so, whatever.
Also, it's childlike to take the position that since someone else is being a d!ck, you shuld be a d!ck back. Especially when you're the reigning heavyweight champ and you're comparing yourself to a skinny pipsqueak.
Just another way to isolate the US from the World. And if a foreign country ‘retaliates’ by coming up with their own absurd BS then it goes up to what, $500? And refundable my buttocks. The only way to get Trumplethinskin to pay up on anything is to take him to court and what ordinary traveler is going to that that? The US has raised the bar on what it means to be a Banana...
Just another way to isolate the US from the World. And if a foreign country ‘retaliates’ by coming up with their own absurd BS then it goes up to what, $500? And refundable my buttocks. The only way to get Trumplethinskin to pay up on anything is to take him to court and what ordinary traveler is going to that that? The US has raised the bar on what it means to be a Banana Republic. As a once proud American I dutifully encourage all foreigners to take your money somewhere where you’re appreciated. Where you won’t get thrown in the gulag on arrival for a random Facebook post.
Yeah, America sucks now, I wish I had a backup citizenship for elsewhere,
This will simply cause further reductions in tourism and cripple places that are heavily dependent upon that for jobs and tax revenue generation. In sum, the Great Recession for America - jobs unfilled in healthcare and agriculture, and now tourism, while debt gets bigger and bigger - is coming sooner than expected.
This was done to make the imaginary numbers work for the bill. The bill also assumes growth that is not realistic.
It’s called lying and while both parties are guilty one party has mastered it!
I don’t see anything wrong with this if refundable. Follow the rules, leave on time, get your money back. We already know what the counter to this is, our current reality is the total lack of regard for immigration rules by a large block. Literally look at any other country to see how screwed you get if you don’t follow your visa rules. It baffles me how I’ll likely be called a racist Maggot for...
I don’t see anything wrong with this if refundable. Follow the rules, leave on time, get your money back. We already know what the counter to this is, our current reality is the total lack of regard for immigration rules by a large block. Literally look at any other country to see how screwed you get if you don’t follow your visa rules. It baffles me how I’ll likely be called a racist Maggot for this post, yet I dare anyone with half a brain to research Saudi / Japan * insert country here * work visa, refugee, citizenship requirements.
But what percentage of people coming to the US on these types of visas are either over staying and/or working in the US?
Contraire IMK. People will call you stupid and not racist. The whole logistics around collecting, tracking, and refunding the fees will be a mess. How will USCIS know if I worked for cash at my friend’s/relative’s/someone’s store/motel/office etc? If there was an easy way to find out, so many illegals wouldn’t be working in the first place.
If someone does work, they will most likely make more than $250 in a week. So, they wouldn’t...
Contraire IMK. People will call you stupid and not racist. The whole logistics around collecting, tracking, and refunding the fees will be a mess. How will USCIS know if I worked for cash at my friend’s/relative’s/someone’s store/motel/office etc? If there was an easy way to find out, so many illegals wouldn’t be working in the first place.
If someone does work, they will most likely make more than $250 in a week. So, they wouldn’t fret over forfeiting the Visa Integrity fees.
I can beat the shit out of my kid to discipline him/her or take a much more nuanced and balanced approach. Just like that issue isn’t admins’s policy to administer immigration laws, but the manner of administration.
So you think that if someone is planning to get a visitor visa and then overstay to live and work in the US, that a $250 fee is going to stop them?
It seems like a $250 deposit. If reliably refunded upon departure and if other countries impose a $250 deposit on Americans, I would not mind.
The US should have reciprocal entry free of charges from New Zealand, Australia, EU, and the UK. The NZ charge has discouraged me from flying to Australia with a stopover of a day in Auckland.
Im sure they’ll be devastated
Likewise, be sarcastic, and support the US fee! I did not know that Vijay was a MAGA-Trumpster!
Worse yet is that other countries will retaliate in like. Americans will then be subject to additional fees around the world. It's like a tariff war for travelers.
Lets hope that others will retaliate!
There're more and more dim-witted people with big ego in Congress. Few things that they do make sense. The system is broken and keeps getting worse.
@Tony
Not only in congress. On this site as well. You only have to take a passing glance at some of the comments that are based solely on xenophobia and bigotry that give support to these inane policies.
While America is being fleeced right in front of our eyes.
This is banana republic bullshit. We’re supposed to be better than this.
Well…apparently you’re not.
Neither are you, PL
Agree. Not my America any longer. A wanna be king who crushes anyone who crosses him. In my 66 years never this bad.....
One of those concepts that will go away real fast once major tourism destinations threaten the US with reciprocity
President Tweedledumb and Vice President Tweedlefuq are doing there very best to ensure that the world wants to visit the US as much as they want to visit anywhere else. And in typical fashion, they've passed a bill that makes all elements of it unclear, because they're not detail men.
Yet another reason to avoid the US. The ESTA fee is also doubling.