What is US visa integrity fee? Here's who pays extra $250 and how to get refund
Details about the new provision and its implementation are scant. This has led to 'significant challenges and unanswered questions regarding implementation,' a U.S. Travel Association spokesperson told CNBC Travel. Here is everything you need to know about the visa integrity fee and how it could impact you.
US visa integrity fee: Who does it apply to?
The fee applies to all visitors who require non-immigrant visas to enter the United States. This includes tourists, business travelers, as well as international students. The amount cannot be waived. Citizens of over 40 countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program could be exempt from the new fee. This includes Japan, Australia, and several European countries.
Visa integrity fee: Will the amount be the same for all categories?
Yes, all visitors need to pay at least $250 for the US fiscal year 2025, which runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the power to set the fee higher, according to the provisions of the Big Beautiful Bill. After that, the visa integrity fee will be adjusted for inflation, CNBC reported.
US visa integrity fee: Can it be reimbursed?
As per ABC News, the travelers who do not overstay their visa or take part in unauthorized work could be reimbursed once the visa expires, but the exact details are unclear as of now. According to the provision, the fee must be paid when the visa is issued. Individuals whose visa requests are denied will not have to pay the amount.
Potential impact of visa integrity fee on US travel plans
The fee makes it more expensive to travel to the US since it will be levied 'in addition to' other charges, including regular visa fees. The regular charges also include the 'Form I-94 fee.' The charge must be paid by anyone who needs to give a Form I-94 arrival and departure record, and this applies to most travelers. The Big Beautiful Bill had hiked the fee from $6 to $24, per the outlet.
The extra charges could lead to many travelers and international students thinking twice about their US study or visit plans. This comes as the country is preparing to host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 alongside Mexico and Canada, and the 2028 Olympics as well. The visa integrity fee and the lack of clarity regarding its implementation could lead to a drop in numbers, especially of B visa holders, Steven A. Brown, partner at Reddy Neumann Brown, a Houston-based immigration law firm, told the outlet.
FAQs:
What is the visa integrity fee?
It is a $250 levy on all visitors who need a non-immigrant visa to enter the US.
When will the visa integrity fee be implemented?
The exact details regarding the implementation remain unclear.
Will the visa integrity fee replace other visa fees?
No, it will be charged in addition to other visa fees.
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First Post
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Trump strikes 'biggest ever' trade deal with EU: Here's what we know, what we don't
The US and European Union have struck a landmark trade deal imposing a 15 per cent tariff on most EU goods, averting Trump's threatened 30 per cent levy. The agreement promises $750 billion in US energy sales and $600 billion in EU investments, but leaves key issues unresolved read more The United States and the European Union have struck one of the most consequential trade agreements in recent years. Announced by US President Donald Trump and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during Trump's visit to Scotland, the pact establishes a 15 per cent tariff on most EU exports to America, replacing the looming threat of a 30 per cent levy that would have taken effect on August 1. While hailed as a breakthrough, the framework leaves crucial gaps unresolved. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Both sides have presented the deal as a way to prevent a transatlantic trade confrontation, yet analysts are now parsing the details to understand exactly what has been agreed — and where negotiations must continue. The headline numbers: a 15 per cent tariff, billions in investment and major energy commitments. At the centre of the announcement is a 15 per cent tariff applied to 'the vast majority' of European goods shipped to the US — a rate lower than Trump's earlier proposals of 20 per cent and subsequent threats of 50 per cent and then 30 per cent, but still a dramatic jump from the near-zero tariff environment that existed before Trump's return to the White House. The deal is tied to two large European commitments. First, von der Leyen confirmed that the EU would purchase $750 billion (638 billion euros) worth of US natural gas, oil, and nuclear fuel, part of its continuing effort to pivot away from Russian energy sources. Second, European entities would invest $600 billion (511 billion euros) into the US economy, though the sources of this investment have not yet been disclosed. Standing alongside von der Leyen in Scotland, Trump celebrated the outcome, saying: 'I think this is the biggest deal ever made,' and praised the agreement as an expansion of US-EU ties. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He argued that the deal would benefit both sides, claiming it would stabilise trade and create new opportunities for American farmers, energy companies and manufacturers. Von der Leyen, who led months of complex negotiations on behalf of the European Commission, described Trump as a 'tough negotiator' and acknowledged the compromise: 'The 15% rate was the best we could do.' She added that the deal would 'bring stability' and 'predictability' for companies on both sides of the Atlantic. Zero tariffs on these 'strategic' goods Although the 15 per cent tariff applies broadly — including on key sectors like cars, semiconductors and pharmaceuticals — there are notable carve-outs. Both sides agreed to zero tariffs on certain 'strategic' goods: Aircraft and aircraft parts Select chemicals Some generic drugs Semiconductor production equipment A range of agricultural items Critical raw materials and natural resources Von der Leyen stressed that the list is not final: 'We will keep working to add more products to this list.' Even with these exemptions, major questions linger. Tariff treatment for spirits remains unresolved, an issue of particular sensitivity given its impact on producers and consumers in both the US and the EU. Pharmaceuticals — a massive trade category — were intentionally left off the main deal. 'Pharmaceuticals were on a separate sheet of paper,' von der Leyen explained, meaning discussions will continue separately. A major flashpoint is steel. Trump made clear that his administration's 50 per cent tariff on imported steel — introduced earlier as part of his broader trade agenda — would remain in place. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Von der Leyen signalled a willingness to keep talking about potentially replacing that tariff with a quota system, which would cap the amount of steel allowed into the US at lower duty rates. What this means for Americans & Europeans While the 15 per cent tariff avoided the heavier blow of 30 per cent, it still represents a seismic change. Prior to Trump's presidency, average US tariffs on European goods hovered around 1–1.5 per cent; the European Union's own tariffs on American products were similarly low. Trump himself had instituted a 10 per cent 'baseline tariff' while negotiations were ongoing — high enough that the European Commission downgraded its 2025 growth forecast from 1.3 per cent to 0.9 per cent earlier this year. The new tariff effectively cements that higher-cost reality. Import taxes of this scale force two choices for companies selling into the US market: raise prices for American consumers — risking market share — or absorb the cost through lower profit margins. European exporters are bracing for the impact. The Federation of German Industries warned of serious consequences, with senior official Wolfgang Niedermark stating: 'Even a 15 per cent tariff rate will have immense negative effects on export-oriented German industry.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump insists that the tariffs are a tool for fairness, pointing to the long-standing trade imbalance between the two economies. Before his return to office, the US-EU trade relationship — worth around €1.7 trillion ($2 trillion) annually — was largely balanced in services but heavily tilted in goods: in 2024, the EU posted a €198 billion trade surplus with the US. How Europe has reacted Reactions in Europe have been cautious but largely positive — driven by relief that a full-scale trade war has been avoided. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed the outcome, saying it prevented 'an unnecessary escalation in transatlantic trade relations' and preserved 'our core interests.' He added, however, that 'I would have very much wished for further relief in transatlantic trade.' Markets showed mild optimism. The euro rose about 0.2 per cent against the dollar, sterling, and yen within an hour of the announcement — a sign that investors were reassured by the removal of Trump's August 1 tariff threat. Economists, however, are urging caution. Carsten Brzeski, global chief of macroeconomics at ING, summed up the hesitation, 'The big caveat to today's deal is that there is nothing on paper, yet. With this disclaimer in mind and at face value, today's agreement would clearly bring an end to the uncertainty of recent months. An escalation of the US-EU trade tensions would have been a severe risk for the global economy. This risk seems to have been avoided.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD What about the auto industry Among the industries most affected by Trump's tariffs is the European auto sector. Until now, European carmakers had been paying a 27.5 per cent tariff — made up of Trump's 25 per cent tariff on all imported cars plus the preexisting 2.5 per cent duty. The new agreement cuts that total to 15 per cent, a meaningful reduction but still far above historical norms. Von der Leyen pointed out that the new rate is 'much lower' than the current burden, making it easier for carmakers to sell into the US. Yet for major automakers, the damage has already been done. Volkswagen reported a €1.3 billion ($1.5 billion) hit to profits in the first half of 2025 alone due to higher tariffs. Mercedes-Benz, while somewhat shielded by its Tuscaloosa, Alabama production plant — which makes 35 per cent of Mercedes vehicles sold in the US — warned of 'significant increases' in car prices in coming years. Dealers have said they are holding prices steady 'until further notice,' but acknowledge hikes are coming. Japan deal with a lot of holes The new EU agreement resembles the framework Trump struck with Japan a week earlier, which carried a $550 billion price tag. Like that deal, the EU pact leaves major details unsettled and is being cast by the White House as a victory in its push to 'rebalance' global trade. Trump has long argued that the EU was formed to disadvantage the US economically. He has claimed that tariffs have generated 'hundreds of billions of dollars' in revenue for the American government and dismissed warnings from economists about inflationary effects. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This latest deal fits into his administration's broader goal of signing '90 deals in 90 days' — a goal officials admit hasn't been met, but which has already yielded agreements with UK, Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam. Senior US officials underscored the scale of this latest accord. 'Remember, their economy is $20 trillion … they are five times bigger than Japan,' one official said during a briefing to reporters. 'So the opportunity of opening their market is enormous for our farmers, our fishermen, our ranchers, all our industrial products, all our businesses.' Why the deal is still incomplete Not every issue was resolved in Scotland. Spirits remain a particularly thorny topic, with both US bourbon makers and European wine and liquor producers awaiting clarity on whether they will face tariffs. Steel and aluminium, too, remain at the top of the agenda. Trump is keeping the 50 per cent steel tariff intact, while the EU is pushing for talks to turn it into a quota-based system. There's also the question of pharmaceuticals and non-tariff barriers. US officials claim Europe has agreed to reduce some of these regulatory barriers for automobiles and certain agricultural goods — but EU officials counter that the specifics are still under discussion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has also reserved the right to raise tariffs again if the EU fails to follow through on its investment and energy-buying pledges, according to senior administration figures. The US and EU together represent 44 per cent of global GDP, and their trade flows total nearly €1.7 trillion ($2 trillion) annually. For decades, this partnership thrived on low tariffs and deep economic integration, with US goods tariffs averaging 1.47 per cent and EU tariffs on U.S. products averaging 1.35 per cent, according to the Brussels-based Bruegel think tank. 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Economic Times
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Economic Times
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Fed likely to hold steady, but September rate cut hopes hinge on data: Seth R Freeman
So, it is positive. It is actually very much related to enthusiasm for AI and the efficiencies coming from AI. "The other aspect that the Fed is looking at is employment rates. So, there is a possibility, the Fed is certainly getting a lot of pressure from the administration, but the chairman has been quite clear that that they are characteristically looking at data and so it may be a little too early. It kind of depends how things look here in the US right after Labour Day," says Seth R Freeman, GlassRatner Advisory. Tell us there are a lot of cues to watch out for as far as Wall Street is concerned, we have a lot of earnings coming out. We also have the important FOMC meet. Now, most of us are expecting the rates to be held steady and the Fed has conveyed this in no uncertain terms despite the pressure coming in from the Trump government. But it is really the commentary that we will be watching out for the hopes of a rate cut perhaps in the month of September. Is that on the cards? Is that talk going to be on the table? Seth R Freeman: Well, that the situation may be, the viewpoint may change now that the deal has been struck with the EU and this concern about what the real effect of tariffs would be here on the US economy. The other aspect that the Fed is looking at is employment rates. So, there is a possibility, the Fed is certainly getting a lot of pressure from the administration, but the chairman has been quite clear that that they are characteristically looking at data and so it may be a little too early. It kind of depends how things look here in the US right after Labour Day. Let us also talk about the IT sector if you could. Now in the US all these major tech companies including the likes of Meta, Microsoft, Amazon they are going to report their earnings this week. So, first up, what is your expectation there and also if you could help us with your stance on the Indian IT sector given the kind of slowdown that we have seen and we are also hearing about workforce cutting, the announcements coming in from TCS. So, what kind of impact do you see from the AI spending going up? Seth R Freeman: Well, at the end of last week, Google was indicating that its business is very robust and really starting to get some payback from AI and there has been a concern that AI would and the fact that you can do searching for example and you get an AI result that maybe you do not have to dig around for different links and that is going to hurt advertising revenue. But I am actually expecting the earnings announcements to be fairly positive across the sector. Certainly, investors think it is going to be positive because look at the gains we have had in the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. So, it is positive. It is actually very much related to enthusiasm for AI and the efficiencies coming from AI.
