$250 Visa Integrity Fee and Up to $15,000 Bond: New U.S. Entry Costs in 2025
Two separate federal policies are about to reshape the price of entering the United States. On August 20, 2025, the U.S. State Department launched a one-year Visa Bond Pilot Program that obliges certain B-1/B-2 visitor-visa applicants to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Less than six weeks later—starting October 1, 2025—a “visa integrity fee” of $250 will apply to most non-immigrant visa seekers.
The State Department says the bond program is designed to measure whether sizeable, refundable deposits deter travelers from overstaying their visas. The new $250 fee, meanwhile, will funnel directly into the U.S. Treasury Department’s general fund.
According to federal data, about seventy-two million visitors enter the United States each year. While some nations will continue to enjoy streamlined entry via the Visa Waiver Program, the majority of arrivals will feel the added cost.
What This Means for Travelers
Budget planning for trips after October 1, 2025 now needs to factor in an extra $250 per traveler unless a specific visa category or country exemption applies. Visitors who fall under the bond pilot may have to tie up as much as $15,000—capital that is refundable only if they leave on time.
The United States is not alone in raising border fees; the U.K. recently enacted new entry charges as well. Industry analysts expect a ripple effect across airlines, hotels, and tour operators as incoming visitors recalibrate travel budgets.
Local Lens: What to Expect at DEN Airport
Denver International Airport (DEN) processed more than 69 million passengers last year, including a growing share of international arrivals. From October 1, 2025, travelers landing at DEN on tourist or business visas will pay the $250 visa integrity fee at the point of application, well before boarding their flights.
For passengers subject to the Visa Bond Pilot Program, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stationed at DEN will verify bond compliance upon arrival and departure. Failing to depart on time could forfeit the $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 bond—an expensive mistake for visitors using Colorado as their gateway to the Rockies.
What Travelers Coming to the US Should Know
• Effective dates: Bond pilot starts August 20, 2025; $250 fee begins October 1, 2025.
• Impacted visas: B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) applicants may face both costs.
• Refund policy: Bonds are refundable only if travelers leave the U.S. on schedule.
• Fee destination: All $250 payments go to the U.S. Treasury Department’s general fund.
• Possible exemptions: Nations in the Visa Waiver Program remain eligible for fee-free entry under current rules.
With airfare, lodging, and now visa-related costs climbing, how will these new U.S. entry fees influence your decision to book an international flight into Denver International Airport?
