US introduces new visa integrity fee for non-immigrants under ‘One Big Beautiful Bill'
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The visa holder must strictly comply with all visa conditions, including not working without authorization and not overstaying.
The person must either leave the US within five days of their I-94 expiration (without applying for extension or change of status), or
Receive a lawful extension or adjustment to permanent residency before the I-94 expiry date.
Also Read: 358 international students regain SEVIS status in a significant settlement with DHS
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Fee Type Amount Waiver available? Notes Visa Integrity Fee $250 No Refundable only if compliance and timely departure or extension met I-94 Fee $24 No Required for admission tracking ESTA Fee $13 No Applies to Visa Waiver Program travelers EVUS Fee $30 No Applies to certain Chinese nationals with 10-year B1/B2 visas
Under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill,' the Department of Homeland Security DHS ) has introduced a mandatory Visa Integrity Fee for non-immigrant visa applicants, starting 2026.As per a report by Fragomen, a fixed $250 fee will now be charged at the time of visa issuance. DHS has the authority to raise this fee beyond the base amount through future regulations. From 2026 onward, the amount will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), making this a recurring cost indexed to inflation.While the fee is non-waivable and cannot be reduced under any condition, DHS has outlined limited cases where a refund may be possible. To qualify:If these conditions are met, the fee may be reimbursed. Otherwise, the amount will be directed to the US Treasury's general fund.The new requirement is expected to impact international students, tech professionals, tourists, and employers who depend on global talent. It also adds a compliance-based financial burden, linking immigration status maintenance to potential cost recovery. Sectors like education and technology, which employ a large number of F-1 and H-1B visa holders , may see downstream effects in workforce planning and retention.The legislation also outlines increases and new charges for other US travel and entry systems:
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