Latest news with #USVisa
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
New $250 U.S. Visa Integrity Fee To Raise Costs For American Visitors
Every day, visitors arrive in America. Now they will be paying a visa integrity fee. The new U.S. Visa Integrity Fee will be important to know about for any of your relatives, friends, or business associates planning to visit the United States in the coming months. Starting in late 2025, the U.S. government will begin charging a $250 'Visa Integrity Fee' to most foreign nationals applying for a U.S. visa. This fee was established under the One Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025, and is likely to affect millions of travelers. Who Has to Pay The U.S. Visa Integrity Fee? The fee applies to almost all nonimmigrant visa categories: tourist and business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B/H-4), and exchange visas (J). Applicants from non-waiver countries—such as China, India, Nigeria, and Brazil—will have to pay the visa integrity fee of $250 in addition to their other required fees. Most tourists coming from Africa, Latin America, and South America as well as select countries in Asia and the Middle East, will also be subject to the new $250 levy. On the other hand, visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries—such as the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea—won't be affected. Most Canadians and Bermudians will also be exempt from paying the fee. Diplomats in parts of the Middle East, as well as official visa holders, may qualify for special waivers. What about Other Processing Fees? This new charge will be added to the existing visa application fees, including the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee, reciprocity fees, and anti-fraud charges, meaning that a single tourist visa application may now cost several hundred dollars or more. The policy, still being fine-tuned, is scheduled to take effect by October 1, 2025, and will be managed jointly by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State. Happy senior father meeting and hugging with his adult son outdoors in park. What It Means for Your Friends And Loved Ones Abroad The idea is that this $250 acts like a compliance bond. If a visitor departs the U.S. on time or legally changes their status (for example, switching to a work or student visa making arrangements in a timely manner) then the rebate should be available. However, the refund process remains unclear, and immigration lawyers warn it could involve months of paperwork, delays, or even denials if technicalities aren't followed. If you're helping a family member plan a visit—perhaps to attend a wedding, meet a newborn, or explore university options—you should know they will have to pay the new Visa Integrity fee upfront, along with their visa application. They may never see that money again, depending on how the refund rules are implemented. If they breach any visa condition—even accidentally—they forfeit the refund. That results in higher financial risk and extra paperwork for otherwise simple visits. Why will this U.S. Visa Integrity Fee Really Reduce Overstays? According to DHS, the policy aims to reduce visa overstays—a long-standing issue in U.S. immigration enforcement. Hundreds of thousands of travelers each year remain in the country beyond their authorized period of stay, according to government data. By requiring a financial incentive for departure or status compliance, the government hopes to deter such violations. However, critics argue that the fee is misguided and counterproductive. Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, has warned that the charge acts like a "self-imposed tariff" on international travelers. He notes that it could discourage legitimate visitors, including students and tourists, from choosing the U.S. altogether, as other countries compete for global travelers and aim to offer more friendly and affordable systems. Will the Visa Integrity Fee be rebated? Will The U.S. Visa Integrity Fee Really Be Refundable ? The fee is also scheduled to be adjusted for inflation, so it may rise each year. It comes just before the 2026 FIFA World Cup (which the U.S. is co-hosting) and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, making its implementation particularly disruptive. If you have loved ones overseas considering a U.S. visa, encourage them to apply before October 2025 so they can avoid the new charge. Help them budget for the $250, knowing it may not be reimbursed quickly—or at all. Urge strict compliance with visa terms to protect their ability to reapply or receive a refund. Until the federal government finalizes the implementation rules and the refund process becomes operational, the safest approach is to assume the fee is non-refundable and to plan your budget accordingly. The new U.S. Visa Integrity Fee will impact visitors to the U.S. coming to be part of FIFA and the Summer Olympics, making it just that much more expensive to attend. But that is not the only point to be considered. It will also complicate visiting America as a dream destination for millions in general. The real key question is whether the extra fee will really guarantee more departures of individuals who are overstays in America? It is not just the fee to be considered, but also the extra bureacracy and headache involved in qualifying for a visit and then getting your money back afterwards. With this rising cost, the extra complexity in bureaucracy, and recent shifting U.S. immigration rules, even a short visit now requires more planning, headaches—and more money—than ever before.
UAE Moments
12-07-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
US Visa Integrity Fee: Key Details for Travelers Explained
US Visa Integrity Fee: Everything You Need to Know On July 4, US President Donald Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" Act into law, introducing significant changes to visa-related fees. Among the most notable updates is the new "Visa Integrity Fee," which has sparked global interest as travelers seek to understand its implications. What Is the Visa Integrity Fee? The Visa Integrity Fee is a mandatory charge applied to all non-immigrant visa applicants. This includes individuals applying for tourist, student, or work visas. The fee is in addition to the regular costs associated with visa applications and aims to enhance compliance with US visa regulations. How Much Does the Visa Integrity Fee Cost? As outlined in the bill, the Visa Integrity Fee starts at $250. However, the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to increase this amount as deemed necessary. Starting from 2026, the fee will be subject to annual adjustments to account for inflation, calculated using the Consumer Price Index. Is the Visa Integrity Fee Waivable? No, the Visa Integrity Fee cannot be waived under any circumstances. However, specific cases allow for reimbursement of this fee, provided certain criteria are met. Who Is Eligible for Fee Reimbursement? To qualify for reimbursement of the Visa Integrity Fee, applicants must meet strict requirements designed to enforce visa compliance. These criteria include: Adhering to all visa-related rules, including avoiding illegal employment. Departing the United States within five days of the visa's expiration date without requesting an extension. Securing a visa extension or obtaining a green card during the validity period of their visa. Why Was the Visa Integrity Fee Introduced? The Visa Integrity Fee was designed to ensure visa applicants follow US immigration laws and procedures. By introducing this fee, the government aims to discourage visa violations such as overstays, illegal work practices, and non-compliance. Furthermore, the fee's annual adjustment mechanism ensures its relevance over time by accounting for inflation. Impact of the Fee on Travelers For travelers seeking non-immigrant visas to the United States, the additional cost could influence budgeting considerations. Families traveling together, students studying abroad, and foreign workers may need to factor this extra charge into their plans. The potential for reimbursement offers some relief, albeit limited to those who fully adhere to visa regulations. How to Stay Informed?
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US cuts visa validity for most Nigerian applicants
The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, cutting the duration and conditions under which most Nigerian travellers can enter the country. Staring 8 July, the US Department of State says nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three months. It says this is part of a global reciprocity realignment, a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or more. Nigeria also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US. The Nigerian government has not yet commented. The State Department says visa policies remain "subject to ongoing review" and may change depending on evolving diplomatic, security, and immigration benchmarks. In a statement, the US government said it was working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure the country meets key international standards. These include: issuing secure travel documents managing visa overstays sharing security or criminal data for public safety purposes The US also ordered that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas, including from Nigeria, would be vetted for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States". Nigerians account for one of the highest number of student-visa applications to the US in the world. Big shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join forces Nigeria's major tax overhaul explained What is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria? Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Focus on Africa This Is Africa
BBC News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Nigerians hit by cuts in US visa duration
The United States has announced sweeping changes to its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigeria, cutting the duration and conditions under which most Nigerian travellers can enter the 8 July, the US Department of State says nearly all non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to Nigerian citizens will now be single-entry and valid for only three says this is part of a global reciprocity realignment, a sharp shift from previous visa terms, which often allowed for multiple entries over two years or also offers single-entry visas valid for three months only for those planning to visit the country from the US. The Nigerian government has not yet State Department says visa policies remain "subject to ongoing review" and may change depending on evolving diplomatic, security, and immigration a statement, the US government said it was working closely with Nigerian authorities to ensure the country meets key international include:issuing secure travel documentsmanaging visa overstayssharing security or criminal data for public safety purposesThe US also ordered that the social media accounts of all foreigners applying for visas, including from Nigeria, would be vetted for "any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States".Nigerians account for one of the highest number of student-visa applications to the US in the world. More BBC stories on Nigeria: Big shake-up in Nigerian politics as heavyweights join forcesNigeria's major tax overhaul explainedWhat is behind the wave of killings in central Nigeria? Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Khaleej Times
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Khaleej Times
UAE students applying for US visa will now have to make social media accounts public
Residents from the UAE applying for certain US visas will now have to make their social media accounts public, the US embassy in UAE announced recently. All applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas will be instructed to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to 'public'. The move comes after the US ramped up vetting of social media accounts as President Donald Trump's administration ordered the resumption of student visa appointments but said it will significantly tighten its social media vetting in a bid to "identify any applicants who may be hostile towards the United States". US consular officers are now required to conduct a "comprehensive and thorough vetting" of all student and exchange visitor applicants to identify those who "bear hostile attitudes toward our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles," according to an internal State Department cable, which was dated June 18 and sent to US missions on Wednesday, June 25. In its statement, the US mission said it will be conducting thorough monitoring, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications. "A US visa is a privilege, not a right," read a part of the statement. Visas explained F and M visas are both student visas for studying in the US, but they cater to different types of educational pursuits. The F visa is for academic studies at an accredited institution like a university or college, while the M visa is for vocational or non-academic studies. Meanwhile, the J visa, also known as the Exchange Visitor Visa, is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals participating in approved exchange visitor programmes in the US. These programs are designed to promote cultural and educational exchange between the US and other countries. J-1 visa holders can participate in programmes that include student, research, teaching, and work-based exchanges. Applications to resume The mission further added that its overseas posts will resume scheduling these visa applications soon. Applicants have been urged to check the relevant embassy or consulate website for appointment availability. This comes after the Trump administration ordered its missions abroad to stop scheduling new appointments for student and exchange visitor visa applicants on May 27. "Every visa adjudication is a national security decision. The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission," it further added. What will be monitored? The new vetting process should include a review of the applicant's entire online presence and not just social media activity, the State Department cable said, urging officers to use any "appropriate search engines or other online resources". During the vetting, the directive asks officers to look for any potentially derogatory information about the applicant. Fewer appointments? While the new directive allows posts to resume scheduling for student and exchange visa applicants, it is warning the officers that there may have to be fewer appointments due to the demands of more extensive vetting. "Posts should consider overall scheduling volume and the resource demands of appropriate vetting; posts might need to schedule fewer FMJ cases than they did previously," the cable said, referring to the relevant visa types. The directive has also asked posts to prioritise among expedited visa appointments of foreign-born physicians participating in a medical programme through exchange visas, as well as student applicants looking to study in a US university where international students constitute less than 15 per cent of the total.
