A new “visa integrity fee” of $250 or more will soon be charged on virtually every nonimmigrant US visa issuance. This means tourists (B1/B2), business travelers, students, and temporary workers will pay an extra fee when their visa is issued. The fee was enacted on July 4, 2025 (when the “Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law). It is in addition to existing visa application and reciprocity fees. Although the law is effective immediately, agencies are still finalizing the rules for collecting it; so far officials say the fee is not yet being collected until cross-agency processes are set up.

What is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The visa integrity fee is a one-time charge per visa that is paid when the visa is issued by a U.S. consulate. It applies to every nonimmigrant visa category – from tourist (B-1/B-2) and student (F-1, J-1) visas to employment visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, etc.). (For example, one immigration law firm summary notes it covers “all nonimmigrant visa applicants… F-1 and F-2, J-1 and J-2, H-1B and H-4” and more.) The fee is paid per person, including accompanying family members and dependents. Only applicants who never need a visa (visa-waiver travelers) – such as most Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) entrants or Canadian citizens – will avoid this charge. In short, almost anyone applying for a U.S. tourist, student, or work visa will pay it.

For FY2025 the visa integrity fee is set at $250 (minimum). The Department of Homeland Security could set a higher amount by rule, but it may not be lower than $250. Starting in fiscal year 2026 the fee will increase annually with inflation. Notably, this fee cannot be waived or reduced – everyone who qualifies and gets a visa will pay it. One important feature: the fee is only collected when the visa is actually issued, so if a visa application is denied, no integrity fee is charged.

Cost and Implementation Timeline

Under the law, all collected fee revenue goes to the U.S. Treasury, except potential refunds (see below). An initial $250 charge per visa is a substantial addition. For example, immigration experts point out that a family of four applying for tourist visas would pay $1,000 in integrity fees alone (four people × $250). Even a single applicant will pay more: e.g. an F-1 student normally pays about $535 (visa and SEVIS fees), but with the new fee the total would be roughly $785. And this is in addition to standard fees like the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee ($185–$205 for most visas) and any country-specific reciprocity fees.

The integrity fee law took effect as soon as it was signed (July 4, 2025). However, official collection of the fee has not yet begun. USCIS and the State Department have announced that they will publish implementing regulations, but so far no payment process is in place. In a July 2025 news alert, USCIS stated only that it will “begin to collect new fees” with details “in the coming days,” and a Federal Register notice confirmed that the integrity fee “requires cross-agency coordination”. In practical terms, visa applicants cannot yet pay the fee at consulates; travelers should monitor official updates but plan as if the fee will apply on the next visa issuance.

Impact on Travelers (Tourists and Families)

For international travelers, the new fee adds a clear cost. It is assessed per person, so families and groups will see much higher totals. As noted above, a family of four could owe an extra $1,000 just in integrity fees. Likewise, a student with a spouse (F-1 + F-2) might go from ~$535 total to ~$785. And business or work visas will similarly spike in price. These increased fees could deter some visitors; industry analysts have warned that U.S. tourism (already lagging global trends) may face further headwinds from higher entry costs.

Importantly, existing visa exemptions still apply. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries (including Australia) who use an ESTA avoid this fee entirely. (However, the ESTA itself was raised to $40 under the same law.) Most Canadians do not need U.S. visas, so they also skip the integrity fee. For others, every visa now means adding at least $250 to your travel budget.

Preparing for the New Fee

To handle the visa integrity fee, travelers should plan ahead:

Budget the extra cost. Assume about $250 per person for each U.S. visa. For example, Boundless Immigration notes that “a single tourist visa for a family of four… could now include $1,000 in visa integrity fees”. Include this amount in your travel budget up front, in addition to the usual visa application fees.
Apply well in advance. Start your visa application early in your planning timeline. There is no grace period to avoid the fee: once implemented, even applications submitted in 2025 will likely incur it. Currently agencies say they are still setting up payment mechanisms, but since the law is on the books, it’s safest to assume the fee will apply by the time your visa is issued. Early application also avoids stress if processing times lengthen under the new rules.
Check for visa-waiver eligibility. If you can use the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (e.g. ESTA for Australians), do so — it means you will only pay the ESTA charge (which was increased to $40) and will not pay the $250 fee. For Canadian citizens, U.S. visas are usually not required. Always confirm whether you truly need a visa or can travel under an exemption.
Stay updated on rules. The Department of Homeland Security and State Department will issue details on how the fee is collected and (possibly) refunded. For now, treat the fee as an upcoming cost. Monitor travel advisories or trusted visa service announcements so you don’t miss any changes.
Use expert guidance from Visa Centre AU: Visa Centre Au is a trusted visa processing service that keeps clients informed of new requirements. Our team of visa experts can guide you at every step. We will help you prepare all paperwork correctly, alert you to the new fee, and submit your application smoothly. With their help, you avoid surprises and ensure your U.S. visa process is as hassle-free as possible.

In summary, the new visa integrity fee significantly raises the cost of visiting the U.S. Travelers should add ~$250 per person to their budget and plan visa appointments early. Staying informed (and using professional help) will make the process easier. Visa Centre Au can help you navigate these changes with real-time updates, expert support, and a streamlined application process.

New US Visa Integrity Fee: What Travelers Need to Know