Latest news with #VisaWaiverProgramme
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
US to impose $250 visa fee for most foreign nationals
The United States will soon require most foreign nationals applying for non-immigrant visas to pay a new 'visa integrity fee' of at least $250, under a provision in the Trump administration's newly passed domestic policy bill, according to a CNN report. The non-refundable upfront fee, which could be reimbursed only after visa holders prove compliance with immigration rules, is aimed at curbing overstays, strengthening border security, and funding enforcement efforts, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The new charge will apply to nearly all international visitors requiring a non-immigrant visa, including students, workers, and business travellers — but not tourists from Visa Waiver Programme countries such as the UK, Australia, or many EU nations. The policy's rollout date remains unclear as DHS says the fee requires inter-agency coordination. The State Department confirmed it will publish details on its visa information page once implementation procedures are finalised. Under the provision, travellers who fully comply with visa terms may request a refund, although immigration lawyers caution that the process will likely be burdensome and is currently undefined. The US Travel Association sharply criticised the move, calling it a 'step backward' that could discourage international visitors. The group estimated it would increase visa-related costs by 144%, adding financial complexity that might deter tourism and business travel. The policy states the fee will be set at $250 or a higher amount as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, with annual inflation adjustments. Unclaimed fees will be deposited into the US Treasury's general fund.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
US will soon charge most travellers an extra $310 in ‘visa integrity fee'
Find out what's new on ST website and app. The Department of Homeland Security is instituting the new fee to fund the Trump administration's border control initiatives. Tourists travelling to the United States will soon have to pay a new 'visa integrity fee' of at least US$250 (S$320), on top of existing visa application costs, under US President Donald Trump's recently enacted 'big, beautiful Bill'. The fee will apply to many leisure and business travellers, international students and other temporary visitors who are required to obtain non-immigrant visas. Nearly 11 million of these were issued in 2024, according to U.S. State Department figures. However, citizens of more than 40 countries in the US Visa Waiver Programme, including Singapore, may be exempt from the fee. The US$250 fee covers fiscal year 2025, which began on Oct 1, 2024, and ends on Sept 30, 2025. It may subsequently be adjusted for inflation. Travellers who do not overstay their time or participate in unauthorised work while in the US may be eligible for reimbursement once the visa expires. But with many visas valid for years and no system currently in place for processing refunds, the fee will likely be non-refundable. Immigration lawyer Steven Brown, a partner at Houston-based Reddy Neumann Brown, characterised the fee as a 'refundable security deposit' in a recent post about the new policy. The mechanism for refunds, though, is still unclear, and the Department of Homeland Security, the agency instituting the fee, has yet to offer specifics about the process. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore S'poreans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 World Trump 'caught off guard' by Israel's strikes in Syria Opinion Singapore's vaping crisis lays bare the drug addiction nightmare for parents Singapore LTA seeks tailored solutions to improve Bukit Panjang LRT's maintenance inspections Life '+60 points for following crowd measures': Singaporeans jump on viral 'aura farming' trend Multimedia 'It's very sad': She comforts loved ones turned away by inmates Opinion Sumiko at 61: 7 facts about facial skin ageing, and skincare ingredients that actually work World US not rushing trade deals ahead of August deadline, will talk with China, Bessent says A spokesman for the US Travel Association, a national nonprofit organisation aimed at increasing travel to and within the US, told CNBC Travel 'there is no timeline for implementation of the fee or direction as to how the fee will be collected and refunded'. Mr Erik Hansen, a senior vice-president at the association, said the new fee 'adds an unnecessary financial barrier for international visitors'. The association estimates that the fee will boost the 'upfront costs' of visiting the US by 144 per cent. 'Even if it is technically reimbursable, the added complexity and cost will discourage visitors,' Mr Hansen said. A single tourist visa for a family of four could now include US$1,000 in visa integrity fees alone. The fee also applies to international student and employment-based visas. A student visa currently costs around US$500, while an employer hiring an H-1B worker already pays a US$780 application fee and a US$500 anti-fraud fee.
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First Post
19-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
US imposes visa curbs on Indian travel agencies for 'knowingly facilitating illegal immigration'
The US on Monday said that it would impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in India for knowingly facilitating 'illegal immigration' to the US read more The US on Monday said that it would impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies in India for knowingly facilitating 'illegal immigration' to the United States. 'Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations,' the State Department said in a statement. The Department of State is 'taking steps today to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating illegal immigration to the United States', it said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The statement added that the US will 'continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks'. 'Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration,' the State Department said. The State Department emphasised that enforcing US immigration laws and policies is essential to upholding the rule of law and ensuring the safety of American citizens. It added that the visa restriction policy is global in scope and applies even to individuals who would otherwise be eligible for the Visa Waiver Programme. When asked about the travel agencies and people against whom visa restrictions have been effected, a US embassy official in New Delhi said the details cannot be provided. 'We cannot provide a list of individuals or travel agencies the United States is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on due to visa record confidentiality,' PTI quoted the official as saying. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
US announces visa restrictions on Indian travel agencies facilitating "illegal immigration"
Live Events The United States on Monday said it is taking steps to impose visa restrictions on owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies based and operating in India for knowingly facilitating "illegal immigration" to the United States."Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service work every day across our Embassy and Consulates to actively identify and target those engaged in facilitating illegal immigration and human smuggling and trafficking operations," the State Department said in a statement added that the US will "continue to take steps to impose visa restrictions against owners, executives, and senior officials of travel agencies to cut off alien smuggling networks "."Our immigration policy aims not only to inform foreign nationals about the dangers of illegal immigration to the United States but also to hold accountable individuals who violate our laws, including facilitators of illegal immigration," the State Department said.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)It further said that enforcing US immigration laws and policies is critical to upholding the rule of law and protecting said this visa restriction policy is global and even applies to individuals who otherwise qualify for the Visa Waiver Programme
Indian Express
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
US imposes visa restrictions on Indian travel agencies linked to illegal immigration
The US Department of State Monday announced visa restrictions on owners and senior officials of Indian travel agencies accused of facilitating illegal immigration to the United States. The move targets individuals involved in human smuggling and trafficking operations, as part of broader efforts to disrupt illicit migration networks. Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, in a statement, said the restrictions apply to executives and senior staff who knowingly enabled unlawful entry into the US. The measures were implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and will also affect those who would typically qualify for the Visa Waiver Programme. 'Mission India's Consular Affairs and Diplomatic Security Service are actively identifying and targeting those engaged in illegal immigration facilitation,' Bruce said. 'We will continue to hold accountable individuals who violate US laws, including those who profit from smuggling operations.' According to the Pew Research Center, there were an estimated 725,000 undocumented Indian immigrants in the US as of 2024. As per the Ministry of External Affairs, 682 Indian nationals have been deported from the United States since January 2025, with the majority attempting to enter the country illegally. US President Donald Trump, who is now in his second term, has implemented several strict immigration policies since taking office in January. In February, three US military aircraft deported hundreds of individuals — including Indian nationals — who had crossed the border illegally. In addition to physical deportations, the Trump administration has also made sweeping changes to immigration rules. These include stricter H-1B visa norms, a rise in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, and the move to end birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants.
