Colombian citizens will soon face much higher visa fees when applying to visit the United States 🇺🇸, as a new law called the “One Big Beautiful Bill” takes effect on October 1, 2025. This sweeping change, led by President Trump and approved by Congress, will raise costs for nearly all nonimmigrant visas and introduce a new mandatory charge. The move is expected to have a big impact on Colombian travelers, families, students, and businesses, as well as the U.S. tourism industry.
What’s Changing and When
Starting October 1, 2025, the U.S. government will increase the standard visa application fee for B-1/B-2 (tourist and business) visas from $185 to $435. On top of this, all nonimmigrant visa applicants—including those seeking student, work, and exchange visas—must pay a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee”. This fee is mandatory and cannot be waived, regardless of the applicant’s situation. The new law also raises the Form I-94 (arrival/departure record) fee from $6 to $24.
These changes apply to most nonimmigrant visa categories, including:
- B-1/B-2: Tourist and business visitors
- F/M: Students
- J: Exchange visitors
- H-1B, L, O, P, R: Temporary workers and other employment-based visas
Diplomatic visas (A, G) and travelers from countries in the Visa Waiver Program (such as Chile 🇨🇱) are not affected by these fee increases.
Why Are the Fees Going Up?
The “One Big Beautiful Bill” is part of President Trump’s plan to tighten U.S. immigration controls, reduce visa overstays, and raise money for border security. The law also funds the hiring of 5,000 new Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and provides $2 billion in bonuses to help keep current CBP staff. According to the U.S. Congressional Budget Office, the new Visa Integrity Fee alone could bring in $28.9 billion over the next ten years.
Supporters of the bill say these changes will help the United States 🇺🇸 better manage its borders and make sure visitors follow the rules. However, many critics argue that the higher fees act like a “self-imposed tariff” on international visitors, especially from Latin America, and could hurt tourism and business travel.
How Will This Affect Colombian Citizens?
For Colombian citizens, the new fees mean a much higher cost to visit the United States 🇺🇸. A typical tourist or business traveler will now pay at least $435 for the visa application, plus the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, and possibly the $24 I-94 fee. This is a big jump from the previous total of $185.
Here’s a breakdown of the new costs for a Colombian applying for a B-1/B-2 visa:
- Visa Application Fee: $435 (up from $185)
- Visa Integrity Fee: $250 (new, mandatory)
- Form I-94 Fee: $24 (if required, up from $6)
- Total Minimum Cost: $685 (not including other possible expenses)
These higher fees will likely make it harder for many Colombians, especially those from low- and middle-income backgrounds, to afford travel to the United States 🇺🇸. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the increased costs may push more Colombians to look for alternative destinations that do not require a visa or have lower fees, such as countries in the Schengen Area (Europe), Turkey 🇹🇷, or parts of the Middle East.
The Application Process: Step by Step
From October 1, 2025, Colombian citizens applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa should follow these steps:
- Determine Visa Type: Decide which visa you need (tourist, business, student, work, etc.).
- Complete DS-160: Fill out the DS-160 online visa application form.
- Pay Fees:
- Pay the $435 visa application fee.
- Prepare to pay the $250 Visa Integrity Fee when your visa is approved.
- Pay the $24 I-94 fee if your visa category requires it.
- Schedule Interview: Book an appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Colombia.
- Attend Interview: Bring all required documents, provide fingerprints, and answer questions from a consular officer.
- Visa Issuance: If approved, pay the Visa Integrity Fee before receiving your visa.
- Travel to the U.S.: Present your visa and documents at the port of entry and go through CBP inspection.
- Post-Travel: If you fully follow all visa rules (no unauthorized work, no overstaying by more than five days, etc.), you may apply for a partial reimbursement of the Visa Integrity Fee. However, this process is expected to be complicated, and few people are likely to use it.
For more details on the visa process and forms, visit the U.S. Department of State’s official website.
Who Is Exempt?
Not everyone will pay the higher fees. The following groups are exempt:
- Holders of diplomatic (A, G) visas
- Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries (such as Chile 🇨🇱)
- Some special categories as defined by U.S. law
However, most Colombian citizens will not qualify for these exemptions.
Impact on Visa Denials and Travel Choices
Colombia already faces a high rate of U.S. visa denials. In the first six months of President Trump’s term, over 106,000 Colombian visa applications were rejected—a 2,800% increase compared to earlier periods. Colombia now ranks sixth in Latin America for visa denials. With the new, higher fees, many families and individuals may be less willing to risk paying so much for a visa that could be denied.
As a result, more Colombians may choose to travel to countries that do not require a visa or have easier entry rules. Europe’s Schengen Area, Turkey 🇹🇷, and some Middle Eastern countries are likely to become more popular among Colombian tourists and business travelers.
Concerns from the Travel Industry
U.S. tourism and business groups are worried about the impact of these changes. The U.S. Travel Association warns that the new fees could cost the United States 🇺🇸 up to $29 billion in lost tourism revenue. Geoff Freeman, the association’s president, called the measure “counterproductive,” saying it could drive visitors away at a time when the United States 🇺🇸 is preparing to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup—an event expected to attract thousands of Latin American fans.
Diplomatic and Political Reactions
So far, the Colombian government has not made a formal statement about the new visa fees. In the past, Colombia has responded to U.S. sanctions with its own tariffs and other measures. Earlier in 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 briefly stopped issuing visas in Colombia after a dispute over deportation flights, but services have since resumed.
Some advocacy groups and travelers worry that the higher costs will hurt people-to-people ties and make it harder for families to visit each other or for students to study in the United States 🇺🇸.
Temporary H-2B Visa Expansion
There is one recent development that may help some Colombian workers. For the 2025 fiscal year, the United States 🇺🇸 has temporarily increased the number of H-2B nonimmigrant visas, setting aside 20,000 spots for nationals of Colombia and other countries. These workers are exempt from the usual “returning worker” rule. However, this is a separate, temporary measure and does not reduce the new fees for other visa categories.
Possible Future Restrictions
The Trump administration is also considering expanding the travel ban to nearly 50 countries. While Colombia is not currently on the list, any changes could further affect Colombian travelers in the future.
What Should Colombian Citizens Do Now?
If you are a Colombian citizen planning to visit, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸 after October 1, 2025, it is important to:
- Budget for Higher Costs: Be prepared to pay at least $685 in visa-related fees for most nonimmigrant visas.
- Check Official Guidance: Visit the U.S. Embassy in Colombia and U.S. Department of State websites for the latest updates and instructions.
- Gather Strong Documentation: Make sure your application is complete and includes all required documents to reduce the risk of denial.
- Consider Alternatives: If the cost is too high or you are worried about being denied, look into travel options in countries that do not require a visa for Colombians.
- Stay Informed: Watch for any new announcements about the reimbursement process for the Visa Integrity Fee or possible changes to visa rules.
Expert Opinions and Stakeholder Views
Travel industry leaders, advocacy groups, and many travelers have spoken out against the new fees. They argue that the changes will:
- Make it harder for families to visit each other
- Reduce the number of international students and workers coming to the United States 🇺🇸
- Hurt U.S. businesses that rely on international visitors
- Damage the United States 🇺🇸’s image as a welcoming country
On the other hand, supporters of the bill say the higher fees will help cover the costs of border security and encourage visitors to follow the rules.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The new visa fees and procedures are set to begin on October 1, 2025. There are no signs that the U.S. government will delay or reverse these changes. Details about how to apply for a reimbursement of the Visa Integrity Fee are still unclear, and the process is expected to be difficult.
Travel patterns are likely to change, with fewer Colombians and other Latin Americans visiting the United States 🇺🇸 and more choosing alternative destinations. The U.S. government may also introduce further restrictions or expand the travel ban in the future.
Key Takeaways for Colombian Citizens
- Visa fees for Colombians will more than double starting October 1, 2025, due to the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
- All nonimmigrant visa applicants must pay a new, non-refundable $250 Visa Integrity Fee, in addition to the higher application fee.
- The total cost for a typical tourist or business visa will be at least $685.
- Visa denials remain high for Colombians, making the risk of losing money greater.
- Alternative destinations may become more attractive for Colombian travelers.
- Stay informed by checking official resources like the U.S. Department of State for updates.
The coming changes will affect thousands of Colombian families, students, and businesses. Careful planning and staying up to date with official information will be more important than ever for anyone hoping to travel to the United States 🇺🇸 in the years ahead.
Learn Today
Nonimmigrant Visa → A visa for temporary travel to the U.S. such as tourism, work, or study purposes.
Visa Integrity Fee → A new mandatory $250 charge to fund border security and reduce visa overstays.
Form I-94 → A document recording travelers’ arrival and departure in the U.S., with new increased fees.
B-1/B-2 Visa → U.S. visa for tourists and business visitors to enter temporarily.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) → U.S. agency responsible for border security and traveler inspection enforcement.
This Article in a Nutshell
Starting October 1, 2025, Colombian travelers face visa fees jumping to $685 due to new mandatory charges. This law aims to fund border security but risks reducing U.S. visits amid high visa denial rates and growing alternatives in Europe and the Middle East.
— By VisaVerge.com
