The United States has announced a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” that will apply to most non-immigrant visa categories starting in fiscal year 2025. The new surcharge, set to be charged in addition to existing visa application fees, is designed to strengthen compliance and discourage visa overstays.
According to TravelBiz, the additional fee will cover visa types such as B-1/B-2 (business and tourism), F and M (students), H-1B (skilled workers), and J (exchange visitors). Only diplomatic (A) and international organization (G) visa holders are exempt from this new charge.
For example, the standard B-1/B-2 visa fee, which currently stands at $185 (about ₦292,000 or ₹15,855), will now total approximately $435 (roughly ₦686,000 or ₹37,300) with the added Integrity Fee.
Compliance-focused measure
The US government describes the Visa Integrity Fee as a compliance-driven initiative intended to promote lawful behavior among non-immigrant visa holders and reduce instances of overstaying authorized periods of stay.
Under the policy, applicants who fully comply with visa conditions—such as departing the US within five days of their authorized stay—may be eligible for a refund. However, officials clarify that these refunds are not automatic and require applicants to provide documentation proving compliance.
The fee is not expected to be waived or discounted, with rare exceptions, and applicants who fail to meet compliance requirements will forfeit the payment. The collected funds will then be transferred to the US Treasury’s general fund.
Furthermore, the fee is scheduled to rise annually from 2026, as it will be indexed to inflation and adjusted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Global implications
The introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee is expected to impact millions of travelers worldwide, including frequent business visitors, international students, and global professionals.
“This move reflects a broader trend in US immigration policy emphasizing accountability and stricter enforcement of visa terms,” TravelBiz noted.
Stakeholders, including universities, multinational companies, and travel agencies, have expressed concerns that the additional cost may deter qualified applicants, particularly from developing countries with significant numbers of US visa seekers.
What travelers should know
Prospective applicants are advised to factor in the additional cost when planning study, work, or leisure travel to the US beginning next year. Refund eligibility will hinge on meticulous documentation, including proof of timely departure or lawful status adjustment.
The US State Department has yet to release a detailed operational guide on the refund process, but officials stress that only fully compliant travelers will be considered.
As part of ongoing efforts to modernize immigration systems and improve security, the Visa Integrity Fee underscores the US government’s commitment to balancing openness with accountability.
