The United States has announced the introduction of a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee targeting most non-immigrant visa categories, including those for tourism, education, and workers, which takes effect in fiscal year 2025.
The fee will be charged in addition to existing visa application costs and is expected to significantly increase the overall financial burden on applicants.
According to TravelBiz, the new surcharge will apply to a wide range of visa categories, including B-1/B-2 (business and tourist), F and M (students), H-1B (skilled workers), and J (exchange visitors).
Only diplomatic and international organization visas A and G categories will remain exempt.
The B-1/B-2 visa that currently costs $185 (approximately N292,000 or ₹15,855) will now total around $435 (about N686,000 or ₹37,300) with the additional Integrity Fee.
The US government describes the Visa Integrity Fee as a compliance measure aimed at encouraging lawful behavior and discouraging visa overstays. The fee is positioned as an added incentive for nonimmigrant visa holders to adhere strictly to the terms of their stay.
The policy highlights a broader shift in US immigration and visa enforcement, placing greater emphasis on accountability and adherence to visa terms.
The Visa Integrity Fee is described in the law as a recurring surcharge, with its amount set to be indexed to inflation starting in 2026. While applicants are allowed to request a refund, it is not automatically granted.
To be eligible, individuals must provide proof of full compliance with all visa conditions. This includes, for instance, documented evidence of timely departure from the United States or a lawful adjustment of immigration status. Importantly, refunds can only be processed after the visa expires.
If an applicant fails to meet the eligibility criteria, the collected fee will be retained and transferred to the general fund of the U.S. Treasury.