Bad news for Indian students, tourists and H-1B workers! Applying for US visa will become much more expensive from..., MASSIVE charges include...
From 2026, applying for a US visa will become much more expensive, especially for Indian tourists, students and H1-B workers. This is because of a new rule signed by US President Donald Trump on July 4, under a law called the 'Big Beautiful Bill'. It introduces a new charge called the Visa Integrity Fee. What is the Visa Integrity Fee?
This is a new extra charge of USD 250 (around Rs. 21,400) that will be added to most types of US visa applications. You'll have to pay it when your visa is issued.
It will start from the year 2026.
The fee will increase each year based on inflation. Who will need to pay this fee?
Almost everyone who applies for a US non-immigrant visa will need to pay it. This includes: Tourist and business travellers (B-1/B-2 visa)
Students (F and M visa)
Workers (H-1B visa)
Exchange visitors (J visa)
Only people applying for diplomatic visas (A and G categories) won't need to pay it.
This means most Indian travellers i.e. students, professionals, and tourists, will now have to pay a much higher fee. How much will a US visa cost in total?
Right now, a US tourist or business visa (B-1/B-2) costs USD 185 (about Rs. 15,800).
From 2026, the total cost will include: USD 185 base visa fee
USD 250 Visa Integrity Fee
USD 24 I-94 arrival/departure fee
USD 13 ESTA-related fee
Total: USD 472 (about Rs. 40,500) which is more than 2.5 times the current price. If you're applying for a student visa (F or M) or work visa (like H-1B), your costs will also go up sharply. Can this new visa fee be refunded?
The Visa Integrity Fee is not refundable for everyone. However, some people may get their money back, but only if they follow all the visa rules carefully.
You may get a refund if: You leave the US within 5 days after your visa expires.
You legally extend your visa or change your visa type (for example, if you get a Green Card).
You will not get refund if: You overstay your visa.
You break any US visa rules. Why is US charging this new fee?
The US has added this new fee to make visitors follow the rules strictly. Think of it like a security deposit you get it back if you follow the visa conditions. If not, you lose it.
The goal is to stop people from overstaying or misusing visas. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will manage this new rule. They can also increase the fee every year based on inflation (rising prices).
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