Latest news with #Fragomen
India.com
4 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Indians going to US as Trump administration takes big decision on visa
Bad news for Indians going to US as Trump administration takes big decision on visa Visa Integrity Fee: The One Big Beautiful Bill has come as a shocker for the Indian traveller who is planning to go to the United States. Under the bill, the US visa will become 2.5 times more expensive from 2026. The American government will charge USD 250 from people visiting the country as an integrity fee, which will be non-refundable. These developments are going to affect Indian students and IT professionals who go to the US for study and job purposes. Additionally, the fee can be changed every year based on the inflation rate. It is worth mentioning that earlier, getting an American visa was not that difficult for students, IT professionals, and tourists. Also, it didn't affect the pocket that much. But after the implementation of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill', travelling to America is going to a burden on pocket for travellers. United States President Donald Trump has passed the new law on July 4, promising to make 'America great again'. Under this law, a new fee will be applicable from 2026 – 'Visa Integrity Fee'. How Much Is Visa Integrity Fee? The Visa Integrity Fee is a new fee of USD250 (approx Rs 21,400), imposed by the Trump administration. This fee will come in force from nest year, 2026 and will be non-refundable in nature. Notably, the fee is not static, which means it can be changed every year depending on the inflation rate. A new visa integrity fee has increased the cost of some visas from Rs 16,000 to over Rs 40,000. Who Will Have To Pay The Visa Integrity Fee? According to the law, the person who is issued a non-immigrant visa will have to pay this fee. It will be collected by the Department of Homeland Security. US-based immigration consulting company Fragomen said that the Visa Integrity Fee is part of a major reform in travel-related fees. This includes a USD24 fee on I-94, a USD13 cost in the Visa Waiver Program and a USD30 EVUS tax imposed on Chinese citizens. As per the law, the person who is issued a non-immigrant visa will have to pay this fee. The fee will be collected by the Department of Homeland Security. US-based immigration consulting company – Fragomen – stated that the new Visa Integrity Fee is part of a major reform in travel-related fees. The fee structure includes- USD24 fee on I-94, a USD13 cost in the Visa Waiver Program and a USD30 EVUS tax imposed on Chinese citizens. It will mostly affect non-immigrant visa holders. Will be applicable on tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2). Students studying in America will have to pay this fee. Professionals going to the US for jobs will have to pay this fee. Individuals with Exchange Visitor Visa (J) will also have to pay this fee. Diplomatic visa holders (A and G categories) will be exempted. How Much More Expensive Will The US Visa Be Now? Currently, US B-1/B-2 visa fees are USD185. A significant price increase is scheduled for 2026. Visa fee – USD185 (Rs 15000) Visa Integrity Fee – USD250 (approx Rs 21,400) I-94 fee- USD24 (Rs 2,000) ESTA fee- USD13 (approx Rs 1200) Total fee- USD472 (approx Rs 40,000)
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE golden visa explained: from nomination to investment and who is eligible
The UAE has well-defined guidelines on who is eligible for the 10-year golden visa and has clearly laid out categories under which people can apply. The route can be through property, investment or nomination in a special talent category open to people working in the country or living overseas. Regulations specify that no party or company other than the government or a UAE government entity can approve a nomination for a golden visa. This week, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (ICP) denied reports suggesting Indian citizens could obtain a golden visa for a one-time fee of Dh100,000. The fake news sparked confusion in the Emirates, so here The National breaks down the different routes to long-term UAE residency. Clear guidelines 'The regulations are really very clear,' Haider Hussain, partner at immigration services company Fragomen, told The National. 'Any significant change like a lifetime residency or a certain nationality being looked at separately would require a resolution or a change in overall golden visa requirements. 'There is no route that would require a Dh100,000 fee to be paid.' Mr Hussain urged people keen to live and work in the UAE to follow announcements made by government authorities such as the ICP or GDRFA (General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs Dubai). 'What is crucial and what the UAE government has very strictly told everyone is not to use the golden visa as a tool to charge unnecessary fees,' he said. 'Third party pronouncements should not be taken seriously.' Nomination route There is no change or update to the golden visa programme but the crucial point remains that only a UAE government entity can approve a nomination and no company can charge a fixed fee for this. In a case of nomination, the applicant's submission is vetted by the relevant government authority. For an individual from the entertainment sector, this would be the Dubai Culture authority, for a sportsperson the Sports Council, and in the investment field the Dubai Economic Department. Equivalent government entities in Abu Dhabi and other emirates will adjudicate, review the application and have the authority to approve the nomination. A third party may be able to help to prepare a case and provide advisory services to support an application or prepare a file. The authorities request that individuals file themselves. Everyone, regardless of nationality, goes through the standard adjudication process. Who can be nominated? If an individual outside the UAE does not go through an investment route of property or a UAE bank account deposit, there are avenues such as the exceptional talent categories. Celebrities, sports personalities, people in the business and entertainment industry have been granted golden visas. So if a person does not live in the UAE but is considered high calibre, is interested in a golden visa for the purpose of eventually moving or investing in the UAE, this avenue is open. The relevant authority would need detailed documentation about the individual's history, their profile and what they could bring to the UAE. In the special talent category, the person does not have to have investments in the UAE but the broader thinking is that once they have a golden visa, they will invest and ultimately make the UAE their home. This is a subjective category, so a strong case has to be presented to the relevant authority for a nomination based on the person's achievements. Other categories The main path is through building ties with the UAE. This could be a Dh2 million property investment. If you already have a property that you bought for less than Dh2 million but is currently valued at more than Dh2 million, you are eligible for a golden visa. You are also eligible if you have at least Dh2 million in a bank fixed deposit or in a UAE investment fund. The investment must be in the emirate where the person is applying for a golden visa. Applicants employed in the UAE earning a minimum gross salary of Dh30,000 (about $8,167) per month, including allowances paid monthly in addition to their basic salary, are eligible. This is the quickest route to a golden visa. Individuals need to submit a salary confirmation letter from their employer and a bank statement for three to six months showing an overall monthly salary of at least Dh30,000 credited to their account. Applicants should have been employed for at least two years by the same company. The salary letter should show the breakdown of salary and the start date of employment. Red flags There is no route involving payment of a fixed fee for a golden visa. The objective is for individuals to contribute through investment, property, setting up an organisation or business, or through their talent. If an advisory or consultancy company asks for a fee, such as the Dh100,000 sum recently reported, for the nomination-based golden visa, this is not legal. Companies cannot charge a fee for nomination as they cannot guarantee its approval. A company can only charge a service fee for advisory support in preparing the documentation, and this is usually agreed with the applicant. What are the fees? This varies per application. A standard application can range between Dh5,000 to Dh9,000 for filing the application, medical tests, Emirates ID and residency application. Other documents The person's passport must be valid for more than six months at the time of application. Education certificates must be attested by the UAE embassy of the country where they were issued and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with an equivalency certificate verification by the UAE Education Ministry. A no-objection certificate (NOC) is needed from the employer for applicants without a government nomination. Once the approval comes through, a medical examination must be completed and biometrics captured. Will my family benefit? Golden visa holders can sponsor their spouse, children and parents, who will secure the same benefits as the original applicant. How long can this take? The timeline is two to four weeks, depending on the application. Nominations could take longer because a government authority may need a few weeks to review the application and make a decision. Overseas travel is possible while the golden visa application is being processed. Once the visa is approved and is in the process of being issued, the applicant must remain in the UAE.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US Visa to add $250 Integrity Fee: What it is, who all it will impact and what will be the cost of the total US visa after this
The United States is reportedly introducing a new $250 "Visa Integrity Fee" applicable to almost all non-immigrant Visa categories. The move is expected to significantly increase the cost of travel and work for Indian nationals, and potentially impact technology companies reliant on H-1B visas. The new fee, part of the recently signed Omnibus Act (dubbed "Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill"), took effect on July 4th, with broad implications for tourists, students, and professionals. The "Visa Integrity Fee" is said to be designed as a security deposit and is refundable under specific conditions, primarily if Visa holders depart the US within five days of their Visa expiration without seeking an extension or change in status. The fee is also subject to annual adjustments for inflation. Exemptions apply only to diplomatic visa categories (A and G). How much will be the total US Visa fee including $250 Integrity Fee For Indian nationals, the new levy is projected to raise the average tourist visa fee by 2.5 times, pushing it to approximately Rs 40,000 ($472) starting in 2026. This revised cost incorporates the new $250 Integrity Fee, a $24 I-94 fee, and a $13 ESTA fee, according to a report in Economic Times, quoting the US-based immigration services firm Fragomen. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo The technology sector, both in India and the US, which heavily utilizes work visas to bring engineering talent to the United States, is likely to be particularly impacted by the increase in the US Visa fee. Experts advise aspiring applicants to factor in the increased working capital costs associated with the revised visa processing. He also recommended scheduling visa appointments before 2026 to avoid the new levy. Explained: What does the US 'Visa Integrity Fee' mean for you The newly introduced $250 US 'Visa Integrity Fee' is essentially a security deposit that most non-immigrant visa applicants will now have to pay in addition to their regular visa application fees. This includes individuals applying for tourist, business, student, work, and exchange visas. The stated purpose of this fee is to encourage compliance with visa terms and conditions. While the fee is refundable, it requires the visa holder to depart the US within five days of their visa expiring without seeking extensions or changes to their status. For short-term visitors like tourists, this might be straightforward. However, for students or professionals on multi-year visas, their money could be held by the US government for a significant duration, impacting their financial planning. The US visa fee is also set to increase annually with inflation. This measure is expected to make US visas considerably more expensive, particularly for Indian nationals, potentially influencing decisions to travel, study, or work in the United States. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US visa fee hike! Pay around Rs 40,000 in visa application fees from 2026; details here
Seeking a US visa? You will soon have to shell out approximately Rs 40,000! The United States has implemented a new $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' on all non-immigrant visa applications, which will affect technology companies by raising their work visa expenses. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The recently announced "Visa Integrity Fee" will act as a deterrent for new classes of Indian students, travellers etc applying for the US visa since the revised visa processing cost would be 2.5 times more than the existing fees," an ET report quoted Keshav Singhania, Head – Private Client, Singhania & Co. as saying. US Visa Fees Hike: How Much More Do You Have To Pay? For Indian nationals, the average tourist visa costs are anticipated to rise by 2.5 times, approximately hitting ₹40,000. From 2026, US visa applicants will need to pay $472 (approximately ₹40,456) in total fees. This comprises of the new Integrity Fee of $250, I-94 fee of $24, and ESTA fee of $13, US immigration services firm Fragomen has said according to ET. This fee applies to various visa categories, including tourist/business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B), and exchange (J) visas. Also Read | US Visa Fee Hike: Who Will It Hit? Technology companies from India and the US heavily rely on work visas for transferring engineering professionals to America. "It is advisable that the working capital costs associated with the revised visa processing cost is carefully provided for by aspiring applicants," Keshav Singhania told the financial daily, noting that applicants should secure visa appointments before 2026 when the new charge begins. The new visa regulation was implemented under the Omnibus Act, part of US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill that became law on July 4, with exceptions only for diplomatic visa categories (A and G). The charge, which will see annual inflation-adjusted increases, serves as a security deposit and is refundable if visa holders meet specific requirements. Visa holders can claim a refund if they leave the US within five days of their visa expiry without applying for extensions or status modifications. Whilst this arrangement might suit tourists, students and professionals could have their funds locked for extended periods. "To cushion the blow, basis a preliminary reading of the Bill, the visa fees is to be seen as a security deposit refundable upon lawful exit from the states in compliance with one's visa tenure and conditions," Singhania said. Also Read |
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
US visa fee hike! Pay around Rs 40,000 more in visa application fees from 2026; details here
Seeking a US visa? You will soon have to shell out approximately Rs 40,000 more! The United States has implemented a new $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' on all non-immigrant visa applications, which will affect technology companies by raising their work visa expenses. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "The recently announced "Visa Integrity Fee" will act as a deterrent for new classes of Indian students, travellers etc applying for the US visa since the revised visa processing cost would be 2.5 times more than the existing fees," an ET report quoted Keshav Singhania, Head – Private Client, Singhania & Co. as saying. US Visa Fees Hike: How Much More Do You Have To Pay? For Indian nationals, the average tourist visa costs are anticipated to rise by 2.5 times, reaching ₹40,000. From 2026, US visa applicants will need to pay $472 (approximately ₹40,456) in total fees, comprising the new Integrity Fee of $250, I-94 fee of $24, and ESTA fee of $13, US immigration services firm Fragomen has said according to ET. This fee applies to various visa categories, including tourist/business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B), and exchange (J) visas. Also Read | US Visa Fee Hike: Who Will It Hit? Technology companies from India and the US heavily rely on work visas for transferring engineering professionals to America. "It is advisable that the working capital costs associated with the revised visa processing cost is carefully provided for by aspiring applicants," Keshav Singhania told the financial daily, noting that applicants should secure visa appointments before 2026 when the new charge begins. The new visa regulation was implemented under the Omnibus Act, part of US President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill that became law on July 4, with exceptions only for diplomatic visa categories (A and G). The charge, which will see annual inflation-adjusted increases, serves as a security deposit and is refundable if visa holders meet specific requirements. Visa holders can claim a refund if they leave the US within five days of their visa expiry without applying for extensions or status modifications. Whilst this arrangement might suit tourists, students and professionals could have their funds locked for extended periods. "To cushion the blow, basis a preliminary reading of the Bill, the visa fees is to be seen as a security deposit refundable upon lawful exit from the states in compliance with one's visa tenure and conditions," Singhania said. Also Read |
