A Trustworthiness Fee: U.S. Visas to Become More Expensive from October 2025

Starting October 1, 2025, the United States will implement a new mandatory fee of $250 for most nonimmigrant visa applicants. Known as the Visa Integrity Fee, this measure was approved under the H.R.1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act. According to NAFSA , the new charge will affect nearly all visa categories, including tourist, student, work, and exchange visas.

Previously, the main expense for a U.S. visa was the MRV fee of $185. Now, with the addition of the Integrity Fee, the base cost will rise to at least $435. In some cases, the total amount may be higher when additional payments such as SEVIS (for students) or reciprocity fees are included. For many applicants, the final cost of a U.S. visa will more than double.

Envoy Global [leech=https://www.envoyglobal.com/news-alert/visa-integrity-fee-introduced-under-new-u-s-immigration-budget-law/]emphasizes that the Integrity Fee does not replace existing fees—it is charged separately. Exemptions apply only to citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, holders of diplomatic visas (categories A and G), and most Canadian and Bermudian nationals.

Under the new law, the Integrity Fee is non-waivable and non-refundable. Starting in 2026, it will be indexed annually based on inflation. Revenues from the fee will go into the U.S. federal budget and will not directly fund visa infrastructure. According to NAFSA, the goal is to encourage visa compliance and offset potential government losses from violations.

Law firm Reddy & Neumann views the Integrity Fee as a kind of “good behavior deposit.” However, the process for refunds remains unclear, and enforcement will depend on future federal guidance. This may impose an additional burden on law-abiding applicants.

Other fees are also increasing in 2025. According to NAFSA, the land entry form I-94 fee will rise from $6 to $24, and the ESTA authorization for visa-waiver travelers will increase to $40. New humanitarian category fees include $100 for asylum applications, $550 for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) work permits, and $1,000 for parole entry applications.

Howell Management notes that starting in 2026, a $250 fee will apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile (SIJ) petitions. Asylum seekers will also pay an annual $100 case review fee. These measures shift financial responsibility from the government to the foreign applicants.

The tourism and education sectors have voiced concern. According to Condé Nast Traveler , the increased costs may reduce U.S. appeal to students and skilled professionals, especially from lower-income nations. A decline in tourism could also occur ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

The Visa Integrity Fee is expected to take effect on October 1, 2025, the start of the U.S. fiscal year. The official start date will follow publication in the Federal Register. Potential applicants should begin preparing for these new expenses and monitor updates from the State Department and DHS.

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