The U.S. government recently enacted a new visa integrity fee of $250 for most nonimmigrant visa applicants.
This groundbreaking policy appears in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which also empowers the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust the visa integrity fee upward to cover future costs.
Understanding the Visa Integrity Fee
The fee is a new charge of $250 that the U.S. imposes on most nonimmigrant visa issuances. Its primary goals are to fund enhanced visa security measures, reduce fraud, and maintain accurate visa records.
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Authority: The fee derives from Section 102 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted on July 1, 2025.
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Adjustment Power: Under the Act, the DHS Secretary may raise the new fee by regulation to cover unanticipated costs.
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Applicability: Applies only when the visa issues. Denied applicants pay nothing.
For official policy details, see the DHS fee schedule: DHS Visa Fees and the U.S. Department of State visa page: – Visa Fees
Who Pays the Visa Integrity Fee?
The fee applies to most categories of nonimmigrant visa applicants, including:
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Tourists (B‑1/B‑2)
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Business travelers (B‑1)
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F‑1 and M‑1 Students
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Exchange visitors (J‑1)
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Temporary workers (H, L, O, P visas)
Exemptions and Special Cases
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Visa Waiver Program travelers using ESTA do not pay the visa integrity fee.
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Diplomats and certain official visitors (A and G visa classes) remain exempt.
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Applicants who pay but later adjust to lawful permanent resident (green card) status may apply for a refund.
Visa Integrity Fee: Payment and Waiver
How to Pay the Visa Integrity Fee
The visa integrity fee becomes due when your visa stamp issues. Consulates typically embed the charge into your visa issuance fee. Follow these steps:
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Complete DS‑160 form online.
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Schedule your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
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Pay required fees, including:
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Machine‑readable visa fee
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Visa integrity fee of $250
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Attend the interview and present payment receipts.
Who Is Not Charged
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Denied applicants pay zero for the visa integrity fee.
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Applicants under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) using ESTA.
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Diplomats, G‑4 international organization employees, and NATO representatives.
How to Request a Visa Integrity Fee Refund
If you comply with all visa conditions, you qualify for a visa integrity fee refund. Follow these rules:
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No unauthorized employment during your stay.
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No extension of stay beyond your visa’s validity.
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Depart within five days after your authorized stay ends.
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File Form I‑290B (Notice of Appeal or Motion) is not required.
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Submit Form I‑246 (fee refund request) within 180 days of departure.
Impact on Frequent Visitors
For frequent travelers, the new fee represents a significant new cost. Consider these scenarios:
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Business traveler making four trips annually: 4 × $250 = $1,000 per year.
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International student renewing F‑1 visa once every four years: $250 one‑time, plus other fees.
Plan ahead. Factor in the visa integrity fee when creating travel budgets. Maple Crest Immigration can run personalized cost projections and provide strategic advice.
Related Fee Changes: Form I‑94 Increase
Alongside the integrity fee, the law increases the Form I‑94 issuance fee:
| Form/Service | Old Fee | New Fee | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form I‑94 (electronic or paper) | $6 | $24 | Applies to land crossings. Electronic air/sea I‑94 remains free. |
| ESTA Authorization (per travel authorization) | $4 | ≥ $13 | Applies to Visa Waiver Program nationals. Annual inflation adjustments. |
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Form I‑94 is the official record of admission and departure. CBP issues the I‑94 at land borders; use CBP’s website for more: CBP I‑94 Information.
Additional Immigration Fee Hikes
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also raised fees for other immigration benefits. Below is a consolidated table:
| Benefit | Old Fee | New Fee |
|---|---|---|
| TPS Application | $0 | $500 |
| TPS Employment Authorization | $380 | $550 |
| TPS Renewal EAD | $380 | $275 |
| Asylum Application (Form I‑589) | $0 | $100/year |
| EAD for Asylum Applicants | $380 | $550 |
| Parole Application (Form I‑131) | $575 | $1,000 |
| EAD for Parolees | $380 | $550 |
| Asylum Parole EAD Renewal | $380 | $275 |
| Adjustment of Status (I‑485) | $1,140 | $1,500 |
| Cancellation of Removal | $285 | $600 |
| Appeals & Motions | $110 | $900 |
Practical Tips to Manage the Visa Integrity Fee
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Check Your Visa Category
Confirm whether your visa class pays the visa integrity fee. -
Budget Appropriately
Include the visa integrity fee in your overall trip cost. -
Maintain Visa Compliance
Avoid work not authorized on your visa. Do not overstay. -
Track Departure Dates
Plan exit flights at least five days before your I‑94 expires. -
Prepare Refund Documentation
Collect I‑94 records, employment authorizations, and departure confirmation.
For personalized compliance checklists, contact Maple Crest Immigration.
Why the Visa Integrity Fee Matters
The newly introduced fee is more than just a new financial requirement—it plays a strategic role in safeguarding the U.S. immigration system.
Here’s why this $250 charge holds significant value for the government and visa applicants alike:
1. Fraud Prevention
One of the core objectives of the visa integrity fee is to combat immigration fraud.
The funds collected are used to invest in advanced technology that helps detect counterfeit documents and fraudulent applications.
This includes biometric verification systems, data cross-checking tools, and machine-learning software that flags high-risk submissions.
By strengthening fraud prevention, the U.S. ensures that visas are granted only to qualified, law-abiding travelers.
2. Enhanced Resource Allocation
The visa integrity fee helps finance the operations of U.S. embassies and consulates around the world.
Processing millions of visa applications each year requires trained personnel, secure facilities, and IT infrastructure. These funds support:
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Additional staffing for high-volume consular posts.
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Upgrades to visa interview and document verification systems.
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Maintenance of secure communications between embassies and DHS.
This ensures that consular officers have the resources to make timely, accurate decisions, even under heavy workload conditions.
3. Promoting Fairness and Accountability
The fee ensures that the cost of maintaining visa integrity is shared by applicants who directly benefit from the system.
Instead of placing the entire burden on taxpayers, the U.S. government now shifts part of the cost to visa recipients.
This aligns with other U.S. immigration service models where beneficiaries pay service fees to support system operations.
It also motivates visa holders to comply with their terms of admission to remain eligible for refunds or future approvals.
4. Improving Adjudication Speed and Accuracy
The fee funds allow for better case management and faster decision-making.
With improved technology and increased staffing, embassies can streamline application reviews and reduce backlogs.
This benefits compliant travelers by shortening wait times for interviews, approvals, and document processing.
5. Strengthening National Security
Every visa issuance carries national security implications. With the help of this fee, the government can more thoroughly screen visa applicants against watchlists, criminal databases, and international intelligence.
This ensures that only individuals who meet strict admissibility standards can enter the U.S., helping protect American communities and institutions.
Conclusion
In summary, the visa integrity fee is a necessary and strategic investment.
It supports fraud detection, funds critical immigration infrastructure, and improves both the fairness and efficiency of visa processing.
For nonimmigrant applicants, understanding this fee—and complying with its conditions—can mean the difference between smooth travel and future ineligibility.
Maple Crest Immigration offers a full suite of services to manage every related requirement:
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Fee Planning: Detailed breakdown of all expected charges.
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Application Review: Audit DS‑160 forms to ensure accuracy.
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Interview Prep: Mock interviews focused on fee proof and intent to comply.
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Refund Assistance: Step‑by‑step support for fee refund claims.
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Ongoing Updates: Alerts on DHS and USCIS fee changes.
Ready to navigate the new visa integrity fee with confidence? Contact Maple Crest Immigration today for a consultation. Let our experts streamline your nonimmigrant visa process
