U.S. Visa Fees Rise in 2025 with New $250 Integrity Charge Introduced

Key Takeaways

• Visa request fees increase to $580 starting January 1, 2025, affecting J-1, H-1B, TN, and E-3 visas.
• The new $250 Visa Integrity Fee applies to most nonimmigrant visas starting October 1, 2025, with exemptions.
• ESTA fee rises from $21 to $40; I-94 fee set at minimum $24, increasing overall travel expenses.

Travelers and immigrants planning to enter the United States 🇺🇸 face higher costs and new rules starting in 2025. The government has raised several visa fees and introduced a new charge called the Visa Integrity Fee, aiming to strengthen the visa system but also making it more expensive for many people to visit, work, or study in the country.

Key changes include higher visa request fees, a new Visa Integrity Fee under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and increased costs for travel authorization. These changes affect millions of people worldwide who hope to come to the United States 🇺🇸 for tourism, business, education, or work.

What’s Changing: Higher Visa Request Fees

As of January 1, 2025, the visa request fee for several popular visa categories has gone up. This fee is what applicants pay when they first apply for a visa. The affected visa types include:

• J-1 visas (exchange visitors, such as scholars and interns)
• H-1B visas (specialty occupation workers)
• TN visas (for Canadian 🇨🇦 and Mexican professionals under NAFTA/USMCA)
• E-3 visas (Australian professionals)

The new visa request fee is $580, up from $562. This increase applies to each application, so families or groups may face much higher total costs.

In addition, the amendment fee for J-1 visa documents (called DS-2019s) has increased slightly, from $105 to $107. This fee is paid when changes are made to a J-1 participant’s program, such as extending the stay or changing the host organization.

For those applying for O-1 visas (for people with extraordinary ability) and EB-1B visas (for outstanding professors and researchers), there is a small bit of relief: the hourly visa case management fee has dropped from $140 to $117.

These changes mean that almost everyone applying for a U.S. visa will pay more, with only a few exceptions.

The New Visa Integrity Fee: What It Means

A major new cost is the Visa Integrity Fee, created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Biden signed into law on July 4, 2025. This law aims to make the visa system stronger and reduce fraud, but it also adds a new financial burden for most applicants.

Here’s what you need to know:

• The Visa Integrity Fee is $250.
• It applies to most nonimmigrant visas, including:
  • Tourist visas (B1/B2)
  • Student visas (F and M)
  • Work visas (H-1B, L, O, P, R)
• Diplomatic visas (A and G) and travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are exempt.
• The fee takes effect on October 1, 2025, which is the start of the U.S. government’s fiscal year.

This means that almost everyone who needs a visa to visit, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸 will have to pay this new fee, on top of the regular visa request fee and any other charges.

Who Is Exempt?

Not everyone has to pay the Visa Integrity Fee. The main exemptions are:

• Diplomats and government officials (A and G visa holders)
• Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, who use the ESTA system instead of a visa

If you are from a VWP country, you still need to pay the ESTA fee, which has also gone up (see below), but you do not pay the Visa Integrity Fee.

Reimbursement for Following the Rules

There is a unique feature to the Visa Integrity Fee: you may get your $250 back if you follow all the visa rules. To qualify for reimbursement, you must:

• Avoid unauthorized work (do not work if your visa does not allow it)
• Leave the United States 🇺🇸 on time (do not overstay your visa)
• Comply with all other visa terms

If you meet these conditions, you can apply to get your Visa Integrity Fee refunded. The government has not yet released full details on how this process will work, but more information is expected soon.

This reimbursement system is designed to encourage visitors and workers to follow the rules. However, it also means that people must keep careful records and may have to wait to get their money back.

Other Fee Increases: ESTA and I-94

Besides the main visa fees, two other important costs have gone up:

• ESTA Fee: For travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee has increased from $21 to $40. ESTA is required for short visits (up to 90 days) for tourism or business. You can apply for ESTA on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
• I-94 Fee: A new fee of at least $24 now applies to Form I-94 applications. The I-94 is the official record of your entry and exit from the United States 🇺🇸. You can find the form and instructions on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

These increases add to the overall cost of visiting or staying in the United States 🇺🇸, especially for families or frequent travelers.

Why Are These Changes Happening?

The U.S. government says the new fees are needed to:

• Cover the rising costs of processing visas and maintaining border security
• Strengthen the visa system and reduce fraud
• Encourage visitors and workers to follow the rules

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a large piece of legislation that includes many changes to immigration and border policy. The Visa Integrity Fee is just one part of this law, but it has a big impact on people who want to come to the United States 🇺🇸.

Who Is Most Affected?

These fee increases affect many different groups, including:

• Tourists: People who want to visit family, friends, or tourist sites in the United States 🇺🇸 now face higher costs. For some, especially from low-income countries, the new fees may be too expensive.
• Students: International students already pay high tuition and living costs. The higher visa request fee and the new Visa Integrity Fee add to their financial burden.
• Workers: Skilled workers, seasonal workers, and professionals coming on H-1B, L, O, or other work visas must pay more to apply. Employers may also face higher costs if they cover these fees for their employees.
• Exchange Visitors: Scholars, interns, and others on J-1 visas see higher fees for both initial applications and amendments.
• Families: When several family members apply together, the total cost can be very high.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these changes could discourage some people from applying for U.S. visas, especially those with limited resources.

What Do Experts Say?

Many experts and organizations have raised concerns about the impact of these fee increases.

The U.S. Travel Association warns that higher costs could reduce tourism, especially with the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to the United States 🇺🇸. They say that making it more expensive to visit could hurt the economy, as tourists spend money on hotels, restaurants, and attractions.

Critics also argue that the new fees could widen inequality in who can travel. People from wealthier countries or backgrounds may not notice the extra cost, but those from poorer countries or low-income families could be shut out.

Some supporters of the changes say that the Visa Integrity Fee will help reduce visa overstays and unauthorized work, making the system fairer for everyone. They believe that the chance to get the fee reimbursed will encourage people to follow the rules.

How Will the Fees Change in the Future?

The Visa Integrity Fee is not fixed. Starting in Fiscal Year 2026, the fee will be adjusted every year based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This means the fee could go up each year to keep up with inflation.

The government has promised to release more details about how the fee will be collected and how people can apply for reimbursement. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State are expected to publish guidance in the coming months.

What Should Applicants Do Now?

If you are planning to visit, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸 in 2025 or later, here are some steps to take:

1. Check the latest fees before you apply. Visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa fee page for up-to-date information.
2. Budget for higher costs. Make sure you have enough money to cover all fees, including the Visa Request Fee, Visa Integrity Fee, ESTA fee (if applicable), and I-94 fee.
3. Keep records of your stay. If you want to apply for reimbursement of the Visa Integrity Fee, you will need to show that you followed all visa rules.
4. Watch for updates. The government will release more information about how to pay the Visa Integrity Fee and how to request reimbursement.
5. Ask for help if needed. If you are unsure about the new rules or how they affect you, consider speaking with a trusted immigration lawyer or advisor.

Practical Example: How Much Will It Cost?

Let’s look at an example. Imagine a student from India 🇮🇳 applying for an F-1 student visa to study in the United States 🇺🇸 after October 1, 2025:

• Visa Request Fee: $580
• Visa Integrity Fee: $250 (may be reimbursed later)
• SEVIS Fee (for students): $350 (unchanged)
• I-94 Fee: $24

Total upfront cost: $1,204

This does not include other costs like travel, tuition, or living expenses. If the student follows all visa rules, they may get the $250 Visa Integrity Fee back, but only after leaving the United States 🇺🇸 and applying for reimbursement.

Implications for Families and Employers

For families, the costs add up quickly. If a family of four applies for tourist visas, they will pay:

• Visa Request Fee: $580 x 4 = $2,320
• Visa Integrity Fee: $250 x 4 = $1,000

Total upfront cost: $3,320

Employers who sponsor workers on H-1B or other visas may also need to pay higher fees, especially if they cover costs for multiple employees.

What About Visa Waiver Program Travelers?

Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries (such as the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, Japan 🇯🇵, Australia 🇦🇺, and many European countries) do not need a visa for short visits. However, they must apply for ESTA and pay the new $40 fee.

This is still cheaper than applying for a visa, but the cost has almost doubled from the previous $21 fee.

Where to Find Official Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on visa fees and policies, always check official government sources. The U.S. Department of State’s visa page provides details on all current fees, forms, and requirements.

If you need to fill out Form I-94, you can find it on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect

The new fees are part of a larger effort to update the U.S. immigration system. While the government says these changes will help cover costs and improve security, many worry that higher fees will make it harder for people to visit, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the coming months will bring more details about how the Visa Integrity Fee will be collected and how people can apply for reimbursement. Applicants should stay informed and plan ahead to avoid surprises.

In summary:

• Visa Request Fees have increased for many visa types.
• The new Visa Integrity Fee adds $250 to most nonimmigrant visa applications, with a chance for reimbursement if rules are followed.
• ESTA and I-94 fees have also gone up.
• These changes mean higher costs for almost everyone coming to the United States 🇺🇸, with some exceptions.
• More guidance is coming soon from the government.

If you plan to travel, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸, check official sources, budget for higher fees, and keep records to protect your chance of reimbursement. The immigration landscape is changing, and staying informed is the best way to prepare.

Learn Today

Visa Request Fee → The application charge paid when applying for a U.S. visa; increased to $580 in 2025.
Visa Integrity Fee → A new $250 charge starting October 1, 2025, to strengthen visa fraud prevention and may be reimbursed.
ESTA → Electronic System for Travel Authorization required for Visa Waiver Program travelers with an increased fee of $40.
I-94 Form → An official U.S. record documenting nonimmigrant entry and exit, now requiring a fee of at least $24.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act → U.S. legislation signed in 2025 introducing visa fee changes, including the Visa Integrity Fee.

This Article in a Nutshell

Starting in 2025, U.S. visa fees rise significantly, introducing a $250 Visa Integrity Fee to reduce fraud, increasing costs for most travelers, students, and workers planning to visit or work in the U.S. Many must budget more and follow visa rules to qualify for possible fee reimbursements.
— By VisaVerge.com