Latest news with #VisaIntegrityFee
India.com
2 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)
Khaleej Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
'I can travel the world': Why UAE residents want US visa despite additional fee
An additional fee of $250 to apply for a US visa may not stop UAE residents from applying, as many believe it still offers various other benefits. From ease of travelling to many countries to visa-free entries in other countries, residents said the long-term benefits are more with multiple trips to the US. Mohammad Sajid, a businessman living on Al Maktoum Road, said the visa has added a lot of value for his travel plans. 'I got the US visa mainly for a business trip to New York, but now I have used it to visit Mexico and even got my other countries' visas easily because of it,' said Sajid. As part of a major immigration reform bill, US President Donald Trump earlier this month signed into law the 'one big beautiful bill', which includes a new 'Visa Integrity Fee'. This fee adds $250 on top of the existing $185 non-immigrant visa fee, bringing the total cost to at least $435 for applicants. The amount could rise in future based on inflation. The charge applies to all non-immigrant visa categories, tourist, student, or work, and cannot be waived, although in certain cases, it may be reimbursed. Despite the additional cost, Sajid believes people will still apply because of the long validity the visa offers. 'It is valid for 10 years. You pay once and can use it so many times. Unlike the Schengen visa, which costs hundreds of dirhams and is often valid only for a few weeks or months.' Saeed Hashim, a resident of Al Barsha and a finance professional who got his US visa a few years ago, said that the visa helped him to visit other countries without hassle. 'I have used my US visa for more than just America,' he said. 'Turkey, the Dominican Republic, and other countries allow e-visas or visa-free entry if you have a valid US visa. It saves you the headache of applying for new visas again and again.' He added that his visa also helped during long airport layovers. 'I once had a 12-hour layover in Chicago. We left the airport, saw the city, had dinner, and came back. You can't do that in most countries without a visa.' Travel industry executives said that because of added benefits, the demand will not dip despite the higher fee. 'People were paying $185 for US visa and this new fee will not make much of a difference. It won't really affect serious applicants,' said Subair Thekepurathvalappil, senior manager at Wisefox Tourism. 'When you apply with a good salary and proper documents, a US visa becomes a strong credential. It makes getting other visas much easier, and for many countries like Turkey or even Georgia, it opens doors to e-visas or visa-free travel,' said Subair. 'For example, a Turkey visa can cost you Dh765 in total, and you still need to submit your passport to the embassy. But if you already have a US visa, you can get an e-visa instantly,' added Subair. He further said that the visa allows for smooth transit through airports across the world. 'We have seen people willing to wait a year for a US visa appointment and that shows how valuable it is.' Pavan Poojari, travel consultant at Luxury Travels, said they are watching the situation closely. 'Right now, we are in a bit of a wait-and-watch mode. The US systems are undergoing updates, and currently, we don't have full access to the new visa application system.' He said that there is a lot of anticipation in the travel industry and everyone wants to know what changes might be introduced. 'We are monitoring the situation and are hopeful that the new system will be operational very soon. Once it's live, there will be more clarity and efficiency in the process.'
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- 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?
India.com
3 days ago
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Indian students, tourists and H-1B workers! Applying for US visa will become much more expensive from..., MASSIVE charges include...
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).
Economic Times
3 days ago
- 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%
