Beginning Aug. 20, 2025, the United States will launch a year-long pilot program that allows consular officers to require refundable cash bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 from certain business and leisure travelers seeking B-1/B-2 visas. The measure, published in the Federal Register, is designed to “encourage their nationals to comply with U.S.
New bill adds $250 visa integrity charge for US tourists
United States adds a $250 visa integrity fee starting fiscal 2025, affecting tourists, business travelers and students who need non-immigrant visas.
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.
US adds $250 security fee to most non-immigrant visas
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.
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