Latest news with #I-94
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Miami Herald
Got a U.S. visa? This is the date that really matters for your legal stay
The U.S. Department of State issued an important reminder Thursday for foreign travelers entering the country with a valid visa: the date printed on your visa does not determine how long you're legally allowed to stay in the United States. Instead, it's the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry who makes that decision — and the date they assign is what truly matters. The CBP sets your 'Admit Until' date Each U.S. visa has a different period of validity depending on its classification and application conditions, as explained on the U.S. visa information page by the State Department. But under the Trump administration's stricter immigration policies, staying in the country beyond the authorized date — even with a valid visa — can result in serious legal consequences. In a post on X, the State Department issued a clear reminder: 'Reminder! The length of time an international visitor is allowed to stay in United States is determined by the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer upon your arrival, NOT your visa expiration date.' To find out how long they can remain in the country, travelers must check their I-94 record — the official admission document issued upon arrival — at Reminder applies to visa and ESTA travelers The CBP's warnings don't only apply to visa holders. Those traveling under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), using the online ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) system for tourism or business stays of up to 90 days, are also subject to increased scrutiny. During the Trump administration, authorities tightened enforcement at all U.S. ports of entry under the banner of 'national security.' That included limiting reentry for certain permanent residents and applying stricter controls for anyone with a criminal record — even if they hold a green card.
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Business Standard
16-07-2025
- Business Standard
US visa rules: Even a 3-day overstay can lead to arrest, 10-year ban
Even a short overstay in the US could get you detained and even face a 10-year ban. That's what happened to Thomas, a 35-year-old Irish tech worker and father of three, who was detained by US immigration officials after overstaying by three days due to a medical issue, The Guardian reported. According to the daily, Thomas had travelled to West Virginia under the visa waiver programme in autumn 2024 to visit his girlfriend. He had used the waiver many times before, which permits citizens of certain countries to stay in the US for up to 90 days without a visa. He had planned to return to Ireland in early December, but a torn calf muscle delayed his travel. A doctor advised him against flying for at least eight weeks to avoid blood clots, and Thomas said he tried to notify US authorities and seek an extension, but did not receive a response in time. Three days after his authorisation expired, a police encounter in Georgia landed him in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. 100 days in ICE detention What followed was unexpected. Despite agreeing to deportation from the outset, Thomas was held for roughly 100 days in three separate ICE facilities, including time in a federal prison for criminal defendants, though his only violation was overstaying his tourist authorisation. 'Nobody is safe from the system if they get pulled into it,' said Thomas, speaking to The Guardian from his home in Ireland. He requested a pseudonym due to fear of further repercussions. Thomas was deported in March 2025 and banned from re-entering the US for 10 years. His experience comes as more travellers, including those from countries such as Australia, Canada, Germany, India, and the UK, have reported detentions by ICE, even when they hold valid visas or green cards. In April, an Irish green card holder was held for 17 days over a decades-old conviction. What Indian nationals should know Unlike Irish or British citizens, Indians are not eligible for the US visa waiver programme. Most Indian tourists travel on a B-1/B-2 visa, which comes with stricter conditions. If you're visiting the US and need to stay beyond your authorised date, it's important to understand the process and timelines for extensions. Adesh Nandal, advocate at Jotwani Associates, said that under US immigration law, even a short overstay, such as three days, can count as a violation. 'However, context and intent matter significantly, particularly in cases involving humanitarian factors like medical emergencies,' Nandal told Business Standard. Steps to apply for a tourist visa extension Indian nationals on B-1/B-2 visas who need to stay longer must apply for an extension before their authorised stay expires. This date is recorded on the I-94 form, not the visa sticker in the passport. Here's what to do: Check the I-94 expiry date on the official CBP website File Form I-539 with USCIS (online or by post) • Application fee: $370 • Biometric fee: $85 Provide documents such as: • A letter explaining the reason for extension • Medical records (if applicable) • Copy of passport and visa • Proof of financial support • Evidence of ties to India (job, family, assets) Once the application is submitted, the applicant may stay in the US legally while it is under review—even if the I-94 expires in the meantime. If denied, they must leave immediately. What if you're detained after an overstay? Thomas's experience underlines the risks. He was visiting Savannah, Georgia, when a hotel guest overheard a personal dispute between him and his girlfriend and called the police. That incident, combined with his expired travel authorisation, triggered ICE action. According to Nandal, ICE has discretion over detention. 'Detention is not mandatory, especially for first-time, short-term overstays where the individual poses no flight risk or security threat,' he said. Even when the overstay is due to documented medical issues, detention can still happen. 'In such cases, access to legal counsel and consular assistance becomes critical in protecting the individual's rights and ensuring due process,' Nandal added. Legal options if detained An individual detained under these circumstances may: • Request a bond hearing to argue for release • Seek humanitarian parole or deferred action from ICE • File for relief from removal, presenting medical records and proof of good character • Apply for a waiver of inadmissibility under INA § 212(d)(3) • Contact the Indian Embassy for assistance under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations 'Legal representation is a right, although not publicly funded. An experienced immigration attorney can significantly improve the outcome,' said Nandal.
Economic Times
11-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
US to triple visa cost for Indians in 2026; apply now to avoid ₹20,000 hike
Agencies Starting 2026, Indians planning to travel to the United States will have to pay a steep increase in visa fees. A new $250 non-refundable Visa Integrity Fee will apply to all visitor, student, and work visa categories, including the widely used B-1/B-2 tourist visa. The total cost will jump from $185 to nearly $472 (₹40,000).The hike stems from a new law signed by US President Joe Biden on July 4 as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and visa compliance. What will it cost from 2026? Visa applicants from India will have to pay the following charges from January 1, 2026: $185 – Standard visa application fee (unchanged) – Standard visa application fee (unchanged) $250 – Visa Integrity Fee (new) – Visa Integrity Fee (new) $24 – I-94 arrival/departure form fee – I-94 arrival/departure form fee $13–$30 – Additional costs (like ESTA or EVUS), depending on category Together, the typical B-1/B-2 visa cost will rise from $185 to $472, nearly 2.5 times the present amount. Why is the US adding the Integrity Fee? The Visa Integrity Fee is a mandatory deposit to ensure visitors follow the rules of their visa — including timely departure, no overstay, and no illegal work. It is non-waivable and non-refundable if the traveller violates any rule. US lawmakers have positioned it as a safeguard to maintain trust in the visa system. Funds collected from unrefunded fees will go into the US Treasury. How does this affect Indians? The change will hit Indian travellers the most, as India is one of the largest sources of tourists, students, and tech workers for the US. Visa categories impacted include: B-1/B-2 – Tourist and business visitors – Tourist and business visitors F-1 – Students – Students H-1B – Skilled professionals – Skilled professionals J-1 – Exchange visitors IT companies that sponsor large numbers of H-1B visas may also see rising costs. Apply in 2025 to save up to ₹20,000 Indians who apply for a US visa before December 31, 2025, will avoid the $250 Integrity Fee. The current application fee of $185 (~₹15,600) will continue until the end of 2025. Those who are already planning travel in 2026 are advised to pre-schedule visa appointments and pay the fee in 2025, even if their journey begins later. The fee is locked in at the time of application payment, not travel date. (Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates) Elevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea. Why this one from 'Dirty Dozen', now in Vedanta fold, is again in a mess The deluge that's cooling oil prices despite the Iran conflict Can Indian IT protect its high valuation as AI takes centre stage? Engine fuel switches or something else? One month on, still no word on what crashed AI 171 As GenAI puts traditional BPO on life support, survival demands a makeover Stock Radar: ITC Hotels hits fresh record high in July – time to buy or book profits? Weekly Top Picks: These stocks scored 10 on 10 on Stock Reports Plus These large- and mid-cap stocks can give more than 24% return in 1 year, according to analysts Suited for the long term, even with headwinds: 8 stocks from healthcare & pharma sectors with upside potential of up to 39%
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
What is the $250 US visa integrity fee and how will it impact Indian travellers?
The United States has introduced a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee as part of President Donald Trump's sweeping immigration overhaul, embedded in the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted on July 4. Designed as a form of security deposit, the fee is pegged to inflation and may be refunded if visa holders meet specific compliance criteria. The Visa Integrity Fee, which takes effect in 2026, applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories—including tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F and M), work visas (H-1B), and exchange visas (J). Only diplomatic categories (A and G) are exempt. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will collect the surcharge at the time of visa issuance, on top of existing application fees. The amount will be revised annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), turning it into an inflation-linked cost. The visa reform is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten immigration enforcement and discourage visa overstays. Alongside the Integrity Fee, the bill also introduces several other travel-related charges: These fees are non-waivable and will be charged regardless of the applicant's financial status or country of origin. As of now, a US tourist or business visa (B-1/B-2) for Indian applicants costs approximately $185 (₹15,855). However, once the new surcharges come into effect, the total cost will rise significantly. Factoring in the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, the $24 I-94 fee, and the $13 ESTA fee, the overall expense for a B-1/B-2 visa will climb to around $472 (₹40,456) — nearly 2.5 times the current cost. The US government retains the authority to revise this amount through future regulations. Starting in 2026, the Visa Integrity Fee will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), effectively turning it into a recurring, inflation-indexed cost for all applicants. Billed as a kind of security deposit, the fee is designed to encourage compliance with US immigration laws — particularly ensuring that visitors leave the country on time or properly adjust their status. While the initiative may help reduce visa overstays, critics argue that it could also deter genuine, law-abiding travellers and stifle cultural exchange, especially for applicants from developing countries who already face financial hurdles. While the Visa Integrity Fee can be refunded, doing so won't be easy. The conditions are strict, and the process is far from automatic. Visa holders may apply for a refund only if they leave the US within five days of their visa expiration without requesting an extension or change in immigration status. Alternatively, they may qualify if they successfully adjust to permanent residency before their I-94 record — the official arrival/departure record issued by US Customs and Border Protection — expires. Even if eligible, applicants must provide substantial documentation, such as proof of timely departure or approved status adjustment. Without this, the $250 fee will be forfeited to the US Treasury's general fund. The US State Department is expected to release further guidance on how the refund process will work in practice. For many travellers — especially students and tourists from developing countries — the added cost of the Visa Integrity Fee is a significant financial burden, one that may require careful planning before making the journey to the United States.
Time of India
10-07-2025
- 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 |
