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The United States government will impose a new fee of $250 for those applying for non-immigrant visas, as part of a reform included in the major legislative proposal promoted by President Donald Trump, recently approved by Congress.
The measure, known as Visa Integrity Fee, will take effect in September and represents a significant increase in costs for those wishing to temporarily enter the country.
What is the Visa Integrity Fee?
The new fee affects anyone who wishes to apply for a non-immigrant visa to enter the United States.
This includes tourists, students, temporary workers, and visitors for medical reasons.
The fee does not replace the current payments, but rather adds to them. For example, those applying for the B1/B2 visa for tourism and business, which currently costs 185 dollars, will need to pay a total of 435 dollars.
Citizens of countries included in the Visa Waiver Program, such as most of Europe, Japan, South Korea, Chile, Israel, among others, are exempt from this fee.
Most Canadian visitors will also not be affected.
According to the approved legislation, the fee amount may be adjusted annually based on inflation, starting from the fiscal year 2026.
The figure may be modified by the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), who will also need to coordinate with other federal agencies regarding the details of its implementation.
Economic impact and criticism
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the measure will generate additional revenues of over $28.9 billion and will reduce the fiscal deficit.
It is estimated that approximately 120 million non-immigrant visas will be issued between 2025 and 2034.
However, the tourism sector has expressed its concern regarding this new rate.
Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations for the U.S. Travel Association, believes that "the fee adds an unnecessary financial barrier for international visitors," according to CNN.
It also warned that "the new visa integrity fee increases the initial costs of visiting the U.S. by 144%, without reducing wait times for interviews."
Parisa Karaahmet, an attorney specializing in immigration, warned that "the increase in fees for entering the U.S. could be a deterrent for some travelers."
Will there be a refund?
The law allows for the possibility of a refund, but only if the visa holder strictly complies with the conditions of their immigration status, such as not overstaying the permitted time and not accepting unauthorized jobs.
However, the procedures for claiming this refund have not been defined, and according to the CBO, most applicants will not be able to request it for several years.
Carolina Aguilar Román, an immigration specialist, emphasized that "asylum seekers who arrived with a non-immigrant visa will also be required to pay the $250 fee each time they renew their visa," which complicates matters for those who are already facing precarious economic conditions.
On the eve of major events
The rate will take effect in a context of high international influx.
The United States will host events such as the Ryder Cup 2025, the country's 250th anniversary, the FIFA World Cup 2026, and the 2028 Olympics. It is estimated that up to 40 million visitors could come to the country.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) warned that travelers must strictly adhere to the terms of their visas.
"A visa is a privilege, not a right, and only those who respect our laws and follow the proper procedures will be welcome," they warn.
The "Visa Integrity Fee" represents a new chapter in U.S. immigration policy, which could have a significant deterrent effect on the flow of visitors and non-immigrant visa applicants in the coming years.
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