WASHINGTON — Sticker shock is coming to many international travelers planning trips to the United States. Tucked deep inside the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a new “visa integrity fee” will add another $250 to the cost of most non-immigrant visas beginning with the 2025 federal fiscal year, which started Oct. 1, 2024.

What the New $250 Visa Integrity Fee Means for International Visitors

A new “Visa Integrity Fee” of $250 will soon become part of the price of entering the United States on nearly every non-immigrant visa. This surcharge, authorized under the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is scheduled to take effect in 2026 and will be adjusted each year for inflation. For travelers, students, and temporary workers alike, the fee functions like a security deposit: pay it up front, and—if you meet a narrow set of departure or status-adjustment rules—you may qualify for a refund.