US Visa Fee for Indian Tourists, Students Rises from Rs 16,000 to Rs 40,000

Key Takeaways

• Starting January 1, 2026, US visa fees for Indian applicants rise from Rs 16,000 to nearly Rs 40,000.
• A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee applies to most non-immigrant visas, refundable on compliance.
• Applications submitted before December 31, 2025, avoid the Visa Integrity Fee; fee adjusts annually for inflation.

Indian nationals planning to visit, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸 will soon face a major change in visa costs. Starting January 1, 2026, the total US visa fee for Indian tourists, students, and workers will jump from around Rs 16,000 to nearly Rs 40,000 (about $472). This sharp increase is mainly due to a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which is part of a broader effort by the United States 🇺🇸 government to strengthen visa compliance and enforcement.

Below is a detailed update on what has changed, who is affected, when the changes take effect, what actions are required, and what these changes mean for Indian travelers, students, and professionals.

Summary of What Changed

The United States 🇺🇸 has introduced a new fee structure for most non-immigrant visa applicants from India 🇮🇳. The most significant change is the addition of a $250 Visa Integrity Fee for nearly all non-immigrant visa categories, including tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F and M), work (H-1B), and exchange visitor (J) visas. This new fee is non-waivable and non-reducible for most applicants. The total cost for a typical US visa application will rise from about Rs 16,000 to around Rs 40,000.

The Visa Integrity Fee was established under the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a comprehensive immigration law signed by President Biden on July 4, 2025. The law aims to encourage visa holders to follow all visa rules, such as leaving the United States 🇺🇸 on time and not working without permission.

Who Is Affected

The new US visa fee structure affects a wide range of Indian nationals:

• Tourists and business visitors applying for B-1/B-2 visas
• Students applying for F and M visas
• Skilled professionals and tech workers applying for H-1B visas
• Exchange visitors applying for J visas

Only those applying for diplomatic (A and G category) visas are exempt from the Visa Integrity Fee. All other applicants, including families, students, and workers, must pay the new fee.

Effective Dates

• The new fee structure, including the Visa Integrity Fee, takes full effect for all applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026.
• Applicants who submit their visa applications before December 31, 2025, will not have to pay the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee.
• The Visa Integrity Fee will be adjusted every year for inflation starting in 2026, which means the cost could rise further in the future.

Breakdown of the New US Visa Fee for Indian Tourists, Students, and Workers

Here is a clear breakdown of the new US visa fee structure for Indian nationals from 2026 onwards:

Required Actions for Indian Applicants

If you are planning to apply for a US visa as a tourist, student, or worker, here’s what you need to do:

1. Apply Early to Save Money: If possible, submit your visa application before December 31, 2025, to avoid the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee. This could save you a significant amount of money.
2. Budget for Higher Fees: If you plan to apply on or after January 1, 2026, be prepared to pay the higher total fee of about Rs 40,000. This includes the standard application fee, the Visa Integrity Fee, the I-94 fee, and any additional ESTA or EVUS fees.
3. Understand the Refund Rules: The Visa Integrity Fee acts like a security deposit. If you follow all visa rules—such as leaving the United States 🇺🇸 within five days of your visa’s expiration and not working without permission—you may be eligible for a refund of the $250 fee. However, if you overstay or break any visa rules, you will lose this amount.
4. Keep Records: Save all payment receipts and documents related to your visa application and travel. These will be important if you need to apply for a refund of the Visa Integrity Fee.
5. Monitor for Updates: The fee will be adjusted for inflation every year, so check official sources for the latest amounts before applying.

Step-by-Step Process for Indian Visa Applicants After the Fee Increase

Here’s a simple guide to the new process for Indian nationals applying for a US visa from 2026:

• Step 1: Submit Your Visa Application
  • Complete the online visa application form (DS-160 for non-immigrant visas, available here).
  • Pay the standard $185 visa application fee.
• Step 2: Pay the Visa Integrity Fee
  • At the time of visa issuance, pay the additional $250 Visa Integrity Fee. This is mandatory for most applicants.
• Step 3: Pay the I-94 Fee
  • Pay the $24 fee for the I-94 arrival/departure record. The I-94 form is required for tracking your entry and exit from the United States 🇺🇸.
• Step 4: Pay Any Additional Fees
  • Depending on your visa category, you may need to pay an ESTA or EVUS fee ($13–$30).
• Step 5: Receive Your Visa
  • After all fees are paid and your application is processed, you will receive your visa.
• Step 6: Follow All Visa Rules
  • Make sure to leave the United States 🇺🇸 before your visa expires and do not work without proper authorization.
• Step 7: Apply for a Refund (If Eligible)
  • If you followed all visa rules, you can apply for a refund of the Visa Integrity Fee after your departure or visa expiration. Details on the refund process will be provided by the US Department of Homeland Security.

Implications for Pending and Future Applications

• Pending Applications: If you have already submitted your visa application and paid the fees before January 1, 2026, you are not required to pay the new Visa Integrity Fee, even if your interview or travel date is after this date.
• Future Applications: All applications submitted on or after January 1, 2026, must include the new fee. This applies even if you started your application earlier but did not submit it before the deadline.

Impact on Indian Tourists, Students, and Workers

The increase in the US visa fee is expected to have several effects:

• Tourists and Business Visitors: The higher upfront cost may discourage some Indian tourists and business travelers from visiting the United States 🇺🇸, especially those traveling on a tight budget.
• Students: Indian students planning to study in the United States 🇺🇸 will need to budget for the higher visa costs. This could affect families considering study abroad options, especially when combined with other expenses like tuition and living costs.
• Skilled Professionals and Tech Workers: Technology companies that rely on H-1B visas for Indian employees will face higher costs for visa processing. This could influence hiring decisions and the number of workers sent to the United States 🇺🇸.
• Exchange Visitors: Those participating in exchange programs will also need to pay the new fee, which may impact the number of participants in such programs.

Expert and Stakeholder Perspectives

Keshav Singhania, Head of Private Client at Singhania & Co., has pointed out that the 2.5 times increase in visa processing costs will act as a deterrent for many Indian students and travelers. Immigration services firms like Fragomen have explained that the Visa Integrity Fee is part of a larger plan to tighten immigration enforcement and raise revenue for the United States 🇺🇸 government.

US lawmakers say the fee is meant to protect the integrity of the visa system and make sure that visitors follow all rules. They believe that the security deposit approach will encourage better compliance and reduce visa overstays.

Why the Visa Integrity Fee Was Introduced

The Visa Integrity Fee is designed to:

• Encourage Compliance: By acting as a security deposit, the fee motivates visa holders to follow all rules, such as leaving the United States 🇺🇸 on time and not working without permission.
• Raise Revenue: The fee helps fund immigration enforcement and other government programs.
• Deter Overstays: The risk of losing the $250 fee may discourage people from overstaying their visas or breaking other rules.

Annual Adjustments and Future Outlook

Starting in 2026, the Visa Integrity Fee will be adjusted every year based on inflation. This means that the cost could go up even more in the future. The US Department of Homeland Security has the power to change the fee amount each year, so applicants should always check the latest information before applying.

The fee increase may also affect travel, education, and work ties between India 🇮🇳 and the United States 🇺🇸. There could be future talks between the two countries about visa policies or possible fee waivers for certain groups.

Practical Guidance for Indian Applicants

• Apply Early: If you are planning to visit, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸, try to submit your visa application before December 31, 2025, to avoid the new fee.
• Budget Carefully: If you must apply after January 1, 2026, make sure to include the higher visa fees in your travel or study budget.
• Follow All Rules: To be eligible for a refund of the Visa Integrity Fee, you must follow all visa rules, including leaving the United States 🇺🇸 on time and not working without permission.
• Stay Informed: Check official sources regularly for updates on visa fees and policies.

Where to Find Official Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on US visa fees and application processes, visit the US Department of State’s official visa page. This site provides details on all visa categories, fee schedules, and application instructions.

You can also find information about the I-94 arrival/departure record and related fees on the US Customs and Border Protection I-94 website.

For questions about the Visa Integrity Fee and refund process, contact the US Department of Homeland Security or the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Conclusion and Next Steps

The introduction of the $250 Visa Integrity Fee marks a major change in the US visa process for Indian nationals. With the total US visa fee for Indian tourists, students, and workers rising to about Rs 40,000, applicants need to plan ahead and budget for the higher costs. Applying before the end of 2025 can help you avoid the new fee, but if you must apply later, make sure to follow all visa rules to keep your chance of a refund.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, this fee increase is part of a broader move by the United States 🇺🇸 to strengthen visa enforcement and ensure that all visitors comply with the terms of their stay. Indian applicants should stay informed, act early when possible, and keep careful records to manage the new requirements.

By understanding these changes and taking the right steps, Indian travelers, students, and professionals can continue to pursue their goals in the United States 🇺🇸 while minimizing the impact of the new visa fees.

Learn Today

Visa Integrity Fee → A $250 mandatory fee acting as a security deposit to ensure visa rule compliance and deter overstays.
Non-immigrant Visa → A temporary visa category including tourist, student, work, and exchange visitor visas for the US.
I-94 Arrival/Departure Record → A US Customs and Border Protection form tracking entry and exit from the United States.
ESTA/EVUS → Electronic systems for travel authorization required for certain visa categories visiting the US.
DS-160 → Online non-immigrant visa application form used by applicants for most temporary US visas.

This Article in a Nutshell

Indian nationals face a major US visa fee hike from 2026, with a $250 Visa Integrity Fee added. Early applicants can avoid this. The new total fee impacts tourists, students, and workers, aiming to improve visa compliance and reduce overstays in the US system.
— By VisaVerge.com