US Introduces New $250 Visa Integrity Fee for Non-Immigrant Visitors

The United States has rolled out a mandatory $250 “visa integrity fee” for non-immigrant visa applicants — with no option for waivers — under a new law signed into effect by the Donald Trump administration.

Known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the legislation gives the Secretary of Homeland Security authority to raise this fee even higher in the future.

Who Must Pay and Who Gets a Refund

The new fee applies to most travellers seeking non-immigrant visas, including tourists, business visitors, and international students. The charge is collected only if the visa is approved — those whose applications are denied will not pay.

Travellers may be eligible for a refund if they fully comply with their visa terms. This means leaving the US on time — no later than five days after their permitted stay — and not engaging in unauthorised work or requesting extensions. New immigrants who eventually obtain lawful permanent residency may also qualify for a reimbursement, though specific procedures for claiming refunds have not yet been clarified.

Other Immigration Fees Going Up

The same bill brings several other fee increases for travellers and immigrants:

• Form I-94:
  The fee for the Form I-94 — which records the arrival and departure of foreign nationals — will rise from $6 to $24 for each issuance. The form is issued by US Customs and Border Protection, mostly in electronic format for air and sea arrivals, but often as a paper record for land entries.
  
• ESTA Fee Hike:
  Travellers from visa waiver countries using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will now pay at least $13 per travel authorisation, with annual adjustments for inflation.
  
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS):
  The new law sets a $500 fee for TPS applications, $550 for an initial Employment Authorisation Document (EAD), and $275 for renewals.
  
• Asylum and Humanitarian Parole:
  Applicants with pending asylum cases will pay $100 annually, plus $550 for an initial EAD and $275 for renewals. Those applying for humanitarian parole face a new $1,000 fee, with an additional $550 for a parole-based EAD and $275 for renewals.
  
• Immigration Court Filings:
  Adjustment of status applications will now cost $1,500. The fee for cancellation of removal stands at $600, while most appeals and motions will attract a $900 charge.
  

What This Means for Travellers

Frequent visitors, students, and businesses with global ties are expected to feel the impact most. The new costs add to an already complex immigration process and could change travel plans for many.

For now, applicants are advised to check official US immigration channels for detailed guidance and to budget for the new fees when planning trips to the United States.