A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which was scheduled to commence on October 1, 2025, has been postponed indefinitely for most non-immigrant visa applicants seeking entry into the United States. This charge is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, legislation designed to enhance visa enforcement mechanisms and mitigate instances of individuals overstaying their authorized periods of admission. The fee aims to bolster funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), supporting increased immigration enforcement activities.
The implementation of this fee impacts a wide array of visa categories, including those for tourism, study, and employment. However, certain travelers are exempt. Individuals from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) who utilize the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) are not subject to this fee. Additionally, citizens of Canada and Bermuda under specific circumstances, along with holders of diplomatic visas, are also exempt. The fee is stipulated as refundable, provided the visa holder fully complied with its conditions, including not overstaying by more than five days, not engaging in unauthorized employment, and departing the country within the established period, though the precise process for obtaining reimbursement remains under development and is still being clarified by the Department of State and DHS.
This new fee is projected to generate substantial revenue, with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimating approximately $2.7 billion annually. However, concerns have been raised about its potential impact on the travel industry. Some analyses suggest that the increased cost could deter international visitors, potentially leading to a decrease in tourism spending and job losses within the sector. For instance, Oxford Economics estimated that the fee could deter nearly one million fewer visits annually, costing the U.S. economy approximately $11 billion over three years in lost visitor spending and tax revenue.
The Visa Integrity Fee is not the only adjustment; other related fees have also been modified. The fee for the Form I-94, an entry/exit record, has increased to $24, and the ESTA authorization fee has risen to $40. These adjustments are part of a comprehensive effort to manage and enforce immigration policies more effectively. The DHS has indicated that the Visa Integrity Fee will be subject to annual adjustments for inflation starting in Fiscal Year 2026.
Data from the DHS indicates that visa overstays remain a significant aspect of immigration. In Fiscal Year 2023, there were over 510,000 suspected in-country overstays, with a substantial portion attributed to visitors who entered for tourism or business. The introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee, alongside other enforcement measures, is intended to address these issues and encourage compliance with visa regulations.