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Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
What is US visa integrity fee? Here's who pays extra $250 and how to get refund
The Donald Trump administration's announcement of a 'visa integrity fee' could have big repercussions for the tourism industry. The $250 fee was a provision in Trump's recently enacted tax bill, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It has yet to be implemented, ABC News reported. However, it could harm the flow of visitors to the country, especially in light of the FIFA World Cup next year. Trump administration introduces US Visa integrity fees(Representational Image) 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.
21-07-2025
- Business
What travelers should know about new $250 'integrity fee' for US tourist visas
Travelers planning to visit the United States and apply for a tourist visa may experience some sticker shock after a new "visa integrity fee" goes into effect. What to know about new US visa Integrity Fee Although it has yet to be implemented, President Donald Trump's megabill -- which encompasses tax cuts, spending packages and immigration policy and was signed into law earlier this month -- includes a provision that gives the Department of Homeland Security authority to charge fees on foreign visitors. The new $250 "visa integrity fee," as defined in the legislation, applies to travelers who are applying for non-immigrant visas to enter the U.S. and cannot be waived. The $250 fee applies for fiscal year 2025, which began Oct. 1, 2024, and ends Sept. 30, 2025. It may subsequently be adjusted for inflation. Citizens visiting from the more than 40 countries included in the Visa Waiver Program may be exempt from the new fee. Travelers who don't overstay their time or participate in unauthorized work may be eligible for reimbursement once the visa expires. US Travel officials, experts respond to new visa integrity fee A spokesperson for the U.S. Travel Association told CNBC Travel there have been "significant challenges and unanswered questions regarding implementation" on the provision and price hike for the Form I-94 that records visitor entry and departure status. "There is no timeline for implementation of the fee or direction as to how the fee will be collected and refunded," the U.S. Travel Association stated. U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman commented on the new legislation in a statement from July 3, expressing the possible harm this could do with upcoming tentpole global sporting events. "The smart investments in the travel process make foolish new fees on foreign visitors and reductions to Brand USA, America's promotion arm, that much harder to swallow," he said. "Making America the world's most visited destination -- and capitalizing on the upcoming World Cup and Summer Olympics -- requires smarter policy and legislative changes that we are already pursuing." Erik Hansen, U.S. Travel's senior vice president of government relation affairs, said in a statement that "cost and visa wait times" are "among the top deterrents" for people considering travel to the states. "The new visa integrity fee increases the upfront costs of visiting the U.S. 144%, while doing nothing to lower interview wait times," he continued. "Even if it is technically reimbursable, the added complexity and cost will discourage visitors."
NBC News
19-07-2025
- Business
- NBC News
Travelers to the U.S. must pay a new $250 ‘visa integrity fee' — what to know
Visitors to the United States will need to pay a 'visa integrity fee,' according to a provision of the Trump administration's recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The fee applies to all visitors who need nonimmigrant visas to enter, and cannot be waived. However travelers may also be able to get the fees reimbursed, according to the provision. Details about the new requirement are scant, which has resulted in 'significant challenges and unanswered questions regarding implementation,' a spokesperson from the U.S. Travel Association told CNBC Travel. However, here is what is known thus far. How much is the fee? The fee will be at least $250 during the U.S. fiscal year 2025, which runs from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025. However, the secretary of Homeland Security is free to set the fee higher, according to the provision. Thereafter, the visa integrity fee will be adjusted for inflation. Who must pay the new fee? The 'visa integrity fee' applies to all visitors who need nonimmigrant visas, which includes tourists, business travelers and international students. When is the fee paid? The fee is paid when the visa is issued, according to the provision. Thus, visitors whose visa requests are denied will not be charged. Does the fee replace other visa fees? No, the provision states that the new fee is 'in addition to' other fees, including regular visa fees. 'For example, an H-1B worker already paying a $205 application fee may now expect to pay a total of $455 once this fee is in place,' Steven A. Brown, a partner at the Houston-based immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, wrote in a post on his firm's website. Additionally, the fee must be paid on top of a 'Form I-94 fee,' which the One Big Beautiful Bill Act increased from $6 to $24. That fee must be paid by anyone who is required to submit a Form I-94 arrival and departure record, which applies to most travelers. How can travelers get reimbursed? To get their money back, visa holders must comply with the conditions of the visa, which includes 'not accept[ing] unauthorized employment,' and not overstay the visa validity date by more than five days, according to the provision. Reimbursements will be made after the travel visa expires, it says. What isn't known The fee has not yet been implemented, according to Brown. It is not clear when it will begin. 'I believe it would need a regulation, or at least a notice in the Federal Register, regarding implementation on collection,' said Brown. It is also unclear how travelers will pay the fee, the U.S. Travel Association told CNBC. 'The bill directs the DHS Secretary to charge the fee, but DHS does not own the visa application, issuance or renewal process — so where and when would DHS collect the fee?' the spokesperson said. In response to CNBC's enquires, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said: 'The visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation.' More questions surround how and when the reimbursement process kicks in. Since many visas are valid for several years, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office said it expects 'a small number of people would seek reimbursement.' Moreover, 'CBO expects that the Department of State would need several years to implement a process for providing reimbursements. On that basis, CBO estimates that enacting the provision would increase revenues and decrease the deficit by $28.9 billion over the 2025‑2034 period.' Brown said he is advising clients to treat the fee as nonrefundable. 'If you get it back, great. But it is usually difficult to get money back from the government,' he said. 'I would rather them view it as a 'bonus' if they get the refund.' The purpose of the fee 'President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill provides the necessary policies and resources to restore integrity in our nation's immigration system,' a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told CNBC. Data shows most visa holders comply with their visa terms. For the fiscal years between 2016 and 2022, between 1%-2% of nonimmigrant visitors overstayed their visas in the United States, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service. However, an estimated 42% of the approximately 11 million unauthorized population living in the United States entered the country legally, but overstayed their period of admission, the data shows. Effect on incoming travelers Brown said the visa integrity fee will likely impact B visa holders — or leisure and business travelers — and international students more than other types of travelers. 'For B visa holders, they may not want to add an additional $250 per person to their trip costs,' he said. The new fee, plus the I-94 fee, come as the United States prepares to host several major events in 2026, including the 'America 250' celebration, in honor of the country's 250th anniversary, and parts of the FIFA World Cup. These hurdles are compounded by problems at Brand USA, the destination marketing organization that promotes inbound travel into the United States, which saw the One Big Beautiful Bill Act slash its funding from $100 million to $20 million. The cuts came after the U.S. Commerce Department fired nearly half of Brand USA's board members in April. In a statement, Fred Dixon, the organization's president and CEO, said it is 'disappointed' with the cuts yet hopeful that the funds will be restored for the fiscal year 2026. 'We remain focused on growing legitimate international inbound travel and the vital boost it provides to the U.S. economy,' he said. Ahead of the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman praised the bill's contributions to U.S. infrastructure, air traffic control and border security.
CNBC
18-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
International inbound travel to U.S. shows mixed recovery
Canadian travel dropped sharply in the first half of 2025, according to numbers by U.S. Travel Association. Visits from Canada dropped by nearly 19% over the same time period last year, dragging overall international visits lower by 3.4%. That equates to a decline of $1.9 billion in travel spending. June was especially rough, with Canadian visitation down more than 26%, the association said. The punch to the travel and tourism industry was mitigated by a noticeable increase in visitors from Mexico. The month of June and the first half of the year saw notable increases of 14.8% and 12.5%, respectively, according to the U.S. Travel Association. Those 940,000 visits from Mexican travelers equated to just shy of half a billion in travel spending. "This initial look at first-half 2025 data shows that while travel continues to be a priority, broader economic concerns remain on consumers' minds. Amid a rapidly evolving global environment, international visits to the U.S. have been resilient across most markets—with the notable exception of Canada, our largest inbound source," the U.S. Travel Association said in an email to CNBC. Major travel companies Hilton, Wyndham and Travel and Leisure, which have been closely watching the change in visitors, are all reporting earnings next week. Las Vegas is also reporting a decline in international visitors from Mexico and Canada, which may show up in results for casinos like Caesars, MGM, Boyd and Red Rock Resorts. The travel industry has been concerned about a big cut in President Donald Trump's tax-and-spending law that slashes spending on marketing and promotion of U.S. destinations overseas, and increases fees for travel visas, which may be especially problematic ahead of the World Cup next year.
CNBC
18-07-2025
- Business
- CNBC
Travelers to the U.S. must pay a new $250 'visa integrity fee' — what to know
Key Points Visitors to the United States will need to pay a "visa integrity fee," according to a new law. The fee will be at least $250, is on top of other visa fees, and may be reimbursable. However when the fee starts, and how to get a refund, remain unclear. Visitors to the United States will need to pay a "visa integrity fee," according to a provision of the Trump administration's recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The fee applies to all visitors who need nonimmigrant visas to enter, and cannot be waived. However travelers may also be able to get the fees reimbursed, according to the provision. Details about the new requirement are scant, which has resulted in "significant challenges and unanswered questions regarding implementation," a spokesperson from the U.S. Travel Association told CNBC Travel. However, here is what is known thus far. How much is the fee? The fee will be at least $250 during the U.S. fiscal year 2025, which runs from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025. However, the secretary of Homeland Security is free to set the fee higher, according to the provision. Thereafter, the visa integrity fee will be adjusted for inflation. Who must pay the new fee? The "visa integrity fee" applies to all visitors who need nonimmigrant visas, which includes tourists, business travelers and international students. When is the fee paid? The fee is paid when the visa is issued, according to the provision. Thus, visitors whose visa requests are denied will not be charged. Does the fee replace other visa fees? No, the provision states that the new fee is "in addition to" other fees, including regular visa fees. "For example, an H-1B worker already paying a $205 application fee may now expect to pay a total of $455 once this fee is in place," Steven A. Brown, a partner at the Houston-based immigration law firm Reddy Neumann Brown PC, wrote in a post on his firm's website. Additionally, the fee must be paid on top of a "Form I-94 fee," which the One Big Beautiful Bill Act increased from $6 to $24. That fee must be paid by anyone who is required to submit a Form 1-94 arrival and departure record, which applies to most travelers. How can travelers get reimbursed? To get their money back, visa holders must comply with the conditions of the visa, which includes "not accept[ing] unauthorized employment," and not overstay the visa validity date by more than five days, according to the provision. Reimbursements will be made after the travel visa expires, it says. What isn't known The fee has not yet been implemented, according to Brown. It is not clear when it will begin. "I believe it would need a regulation, or at least a notice in the Federal Register, regarding implementation on collection," said Brown. It is also unclear how travelers will pay the fee, the U.S. Travel Association told CNBC. "The bill directs the DHS Secretary to charge the fee, but DHS does not own the visa application, issuance or renewal process — so where and when would DHS collect the fee?" the spokesperson said. In response to CNBC's enquires, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said: "The visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation." More questions surround how and when the reimbursement process kicks in. Since many visas are valid for several years, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office said it expects "a small number of people would seek reimbursement." Moreover, "CBO expects that the Department of State would need several years to implement a process for providing reimbursements. On that basis, CBO estimates that enacting the provision would increase revenues and decrease the deficit by $28.9 billion over the 2025‑2034 period." Brown said he is advising clients to treat the fee as nonrefundable. "If you get it back, great. But it is usually difficult to get money back from the government," he said. "I would rather them view it as a 'bonus' if they get the refund." The purpose of the fee "President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill provides the necessary policies and resources to restore integrity in our nation's immigration system," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told CNBC. Data shows most visa holders comply with their visa terms. For the fiscal years between 2016 and 2022, between 1%-2% of nonimmigrant visitors overstayed their visas in the United States, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service. However, an estimated 42% of the approximately 11 million unauthorized population living in the United States entered the country legally, but overstayed their period of admission, the data shows. Effect on incoming travelers Brown said the visa integrity fee will likely impact B visa holders — or leisure and business travelers — and international students more than other types of travelers. "For B visa holders, they may not want to add an additional $250 per person to their trip costs," he said. The new fee, plus the I-94 fee, come as the United States prepares to host several major events in 2026, including the "America 250" celebration, in honor of the country's 250th anniversary, and parts of the FIFA World Cup. These hurdles are compounded by problems at Brand USA, the destination marketing organization that promotes inbound travel into the United States, which saw the One Big Beautiful Bill Act slash its funding from $100 million to $20 million. The cuts came after the U.S. Commerce Department fired nearly half of Brand USA's board members in April. Brand USA did not respond to CNBC's request for comment. Ahead of the passage of the new legislation, U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman praised the bill's contributions to U.S. infrastructure, air traffic control and border security. But, he added: "The smart investments in the travel process make foolish new fees on foreign visitors and reductions to Brand USA, America's promotion arm, that much harder to swallow." — CNBC's Kaela Ling contributed to this report.
