The United States is set to introduce a new “visa integrity fee” of at least $250 for most international travellers applying for non-immigrant visas, as part of a domestic policy bill signed under the Trump administration, CNN reported on Tuesday.
The fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa holders — including international students, business visitors, and temporary workers — but not to tourists from countries under the Visa Waiver Programme, such as Australia and many European nations, who are permitted to stay in the US for up to 90 days without a visa.
Travellers will be required to pay the new fee at the time their visas are issued. While there is a provision for reimbursement, it will only apply to those who fully comply with the conditions of their visa. However, the refund process remains undefined, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) yet to outline its implementation.
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Immigration attorney Steven A. Brown said the policy aims to act as a refundable deposit to encourage visa holders to follow US immigration rules. But he cautioned that proving compliance may be difficult, and until the process is clarified, visitors should consider the fee non-refundable.
The US Travel Association criticised the move, describing it as “a giant leap backwards.” It warned the policy would increase the upfront cost of visiting the US by 144% and discourage tourism and business travel.
According to DHS, the revenue from unreimbursed fees will be used to strengthen immigration enforcement and support border security. The fee is subject to annual inflation-based adjustments and could be higher than $250 in future.