U.S. Visa Sticker Shock: New $250 ‘Integrity Fee'

Skift

a day ago

At a time when international arrivals to the U.S. are already slumping, these hefty additional fees will be one more reason not to visit. There are cheaper places to travel to with less hassle.
Many travelers applying for U.S. tourist visas should be prepared to pay at least an additional $250 for a new 'Integrity Fee.'
It's part of the recent budget law and hasn't been implemented yet, but the Department of Homeland is authorized to start charging this fiscal year. Starting in Fiscal Year 2026, which starts October 1, the Visa Integrity Fee will be adjusted annually for inflation.
It applies to travelers applying for non-immigrant visas, but people from the more than 40 Visa Waiver Program countries are not subject to the Visa Integrity Fee.
Travelers are eligible for reimbursement sometime after the visa expires as long as they don't overstay the visa expiration date by more than five days or engage in unauthorized work.
'There is no timeline for implementation of the fee or direction as to how the fee will be collected and refunded,' according to the U.S. Travel Association.
One issue: It may discourage travelers from visiting the U.S. because they would have to shell out $250 and wonder if they would ever get the reimbursement.
'This fee, which will be at least $250 and comes on top of existing visa fees, adds an unnecessary financial barrier for international visitors,' said Erik Hansen, US Travel's senior vice president, government relation affairs. 'Among the top deterrents to visiting the U.S. are cost and visa wait times. And the new visa integrity fee increases the upfront costs of visiting the U.S. 144%, while doing nothing to lower interview wait times. Even if it is technically reimbursable, the added complexity and cost will discourage visitors.'
$24 I-94 Fee
That's not all of the costly news for some international arrivals in the new law: The application fee for the I-94 arrival and departure record will rise to $24 from $6.
This fee will likely apply to travelers entering the U.S. by land, and to travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries.
This fee will also increase each year with inflation. Those exempt from filling out the form include American citizens, resident aliens, most Canadians, and aliens with immigration visas.
$40 ESTA Fee
The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee is rising to $40 from the current $21. This will be paid by travelers who enter the U.S. from Visa Waiver Program countries at least through 2034.
These are the Visa Waiver Program countries, according to the U.S. Department of State:
U.S. Department of State
Visa Wait Times and Cost
A family of four from Brazil, which is not a visa waiver program country, would pay $1,876 in visa fees under the new pay structure to travel to the U.S., an increase of more than $1,100, according to the trade association.
'At a time when the U.S. should be focused on attracting more international visitors, especially ahead of global events like the World Cup and Summer Olympics, burdening them with higher fees and reducing funding for Brand USA is counterproductive,' Hansen said. 'We need smarter policies that enhance our global competitiveness, not ones that make the U.S. a less welcoming destination.'
Revenue Generators
Backers of the fees, however, see them as revenue generators.
For example, 20% of the I-94 fees are earmarked for the Land Border Inspection Fee account, 20% go to Customs & Border Protection, and 60% ends up in the Treasury Department general fund.
Regarding the ESTA fee, $10 goes to the Department of Homeland Security for cost recovery, $13 is funneled to the Treasury Department for Deficit Reduction, and $17 of the fee goes to the Travel Promotion Fund, which funds Brand USA.