US Visa Fees to Increase Under Trump’s 'Big Beautiful' Law

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

• New $250 Visa Integrity Fee applies to all nonimmigrant visa applicants, added to existing fees.
• ESTA fee increases from $21 to $40 for Visa Waiver Program travelers before FIFA 2026.
• Asylum and immigration benefit fees sharply increased; refund for Integrity Fee possible but complicated.

Sweeping US Visa Fee Increases Take Effect Under Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”

On July 8, 2025, the United States 🇺🇸 began enforcing major changes to its visa and immigration fee structure. These changes come from President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R.1), signed into law on July 4, 2025. the new law brings some of the largest visa fee increases in decades, adds a new “Visa Integrity Fee,” and introduces higher costs for many immigration services. These changes affect travelers, immigrants, students, families, and businesses around the world.

US Visa Fees to Increase Under Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful’ Law

Let’s break down what’s changed, who is affected, and what you need to know if you plan to visit, study, work, or seek protection in the United States 🇺🇸.

What Has Changed?

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” brings several important changes:

Visa Fee Increases: All nonimmigrant visa applicants now pay a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” on top of the regular visa application fee.
ESTA Fee Increase: Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries will soon pay $40 for ESTA, up from $21.
Higher Fees for Immigration Relief: Asylum, humanitarian parole, and green card applications now cost much more.
New Penalties and Taxes: There are new penalties for undocumented presence and a tax on money sent abroad through non-bank services.

These changes are already in effect for most visa categories, with some (like the ESTA fee increase) coming soon.

Visa Fee Increases and the New Visa Integrity Fee

The most talked-about change is the new Visa Integrity Fee. Here’s how it works:

Who Pays: Anyone applying for a nonimmigrant visa (such as tourist, student, or work visas) must pay this fee.
How Much: The fee is $250 per applicant, in addition to the regular visa application fee (for example, $185 for a B1/B2 visitor visa).
Total Cost Example: For a standard visitor visa, the total cost is now $435 per person ($185 application fee + $250 integrity fee).
Annual Adjustment: The $250 fee is indexed to inflation and will go up each year.
No Waivers: There are no routine waivers for this fee. Almost everyone must pay it, regardless of income or country of origin.

Refund Provision for the Visa Integrity Fee

The law includes a refund option for the Visa Integrity Fee, but there are important details:

Who Can Get a Refund: If you follow all visa rules and leave the United States 🇺🇸 within five days of your visa expiring, or if you legally adjust your status to a green card, you can apply for a refund.
How to Apply: The exact process for claiming the refund is not yet clear. The government has not released full instructions, and experts expect the process to be complicated.
Will Many Apply?: Because the refund process is expected to be difficult, many people may not bother to apply for their money back.

ESTA Fee Increase for Visa Waiver Travelers

Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries (like the United Kingdom 🇬🇧, Japan 🇯🇵, Australia 🇦🇺, and many others) use the ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) to visit the United States 🇺🇸 for short stays. Under the new law:

Fee Increase: The ESTA fee will rise from $21 to $40.
When: The exact date for this change is not yet announced, but it will happen before the United States 🇺🇸 co-hosts the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
Validity: ESTA approvals remain valid for two years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
Multiple Entries: ESTA allows you to enter the United States 🇺🇸 multiple times for up to 90 days per visit.

Other Immigration-Related Fee Changes

The law also brings higher costs for many other immigration services:

Asylum Application Fee: Now $1,000 (previously free)
Annual Pending Asylum Fee: $100 per year while your application is pending
Work Authorization for Asylees: $550 (up from about $410)
Humanitarian Parole Entry Fee: $1,000
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Application Fee: $500
Adjustment of Status (Green Card): $1,500 (up from about $1,225)
Waiver of Inadmissibility (Form I-601): $1,050 (up from under $930)
I-94 Arrival/Departure Fee: $30 (newly introduced)
Penalties for Undocumented Presence: $5,000 for failure to appear or entry without inspection
Remittance Transfer Tax: 1% on money sent abroad through non-bank services

For more information on these forms and their official instructions, visit the USCIS Forms page.

Why Did the US Make These Changes?

The Trump administration says these changes are needed for several reasons:

Border Security: The new fees, especially the Visa Integrity Fee, are meant to discourage people from overstaying their visas.
Fraud Prevention: Higher costs are supposed to help stop visa fraud and abuse.
Funding Modernization: The extra money will help pay for better border security, more customs officers, and improved travel infrastructure.
Self-Funding System: The government wants the immigration system to pay for itself, rather than relying on taxpayer money.

Supporters of the law say these steps will help keep the United States 🇺🇸 safe and make the system more efficient. Critics, however, argue that the changes will make it much harder for ordinary people to visit, study, or seek protection in the country.

How Do the New Fees Affect Different Groups?

The impact of these changes is wide-ranging. Here’s how different groups are affected:

Travelers and Tourists

Higher Costs: The total cost for a tourist visa is now $435 per person. For families, this adds up quickly.
Visa Waiver Travelers: Even those from countries that don’t need a visa must pay almost double for ESTA.
Possible Deterrent: Travel industry groups worry that higher fees will discourage people from visiting the United States 🇺🇸, especially for big events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.

Students and Workers

Upfront Costs: Students and skilled workers must pay the Visa Integrity Fee, making it more expensive to study or work in the United States 🇺🇸.
No Waivers: There are no routine waivers, so even low-income students must pay the full amount.

Immigrants and Families

Adjustment of Status: The cost to apply for a green card is now $1,500, making family reunification more expensive.
Waivers: The fee for a waiver of inadmissibility (Form I-601) is now $1,050.

Asylum Seekers and Humanitarian Applicants

New Fees: Asylum applications, which used to be free, now cost $1,000. There’s also a $100 annual fee while waiting for a decision.
Work Authorization: Asylees must pay $550 for work authorization.
Humanitarian Parole: The entry fee is now $1,000.
Barrier to Relief: Advocacy groups say these fees will make it much harder for people fleeing danger to find safety in the United States 🇺🇸.

Mixed-Status and Low-Income Families

Financial Burden: The new fees are especially hard on families with limited income or those from developing countries.
Remittance Tax: The 1% tax on money sent abroad through non-bank services affects immigrants who send money home to support relatives.

Industry and Stakeholder Reactions

The travel and tourism industry has mixed feelings about the new law:

Concerns: Groups like the US Travel Association say higher fees could reduce the number of international visitors, hurting tourism and related jobs.
Praise for Investments: Some industry leaders welcome investments in customs staffing and air traffic control, which could make travel smoother.
Criticism of Cuts: There is criticism of cuts to Brand USA, the country’s tourism marketing agency, which could make it harder to attract visitors.

Advocacy and Legal Challenges

Immigration advocates are preparing to challenge the new fees, especially for humanitarian categories like asylum and TPS. They argue that the changes:

Raise Barriers: Make it harder for vulnerable people to access legal protection.
Disproportionate Impact: Hit low-income and mixed-status families the hardest.
Discourage Compliance: The complicated refund process for the Visa Integrity Fee may discourage people from following the rules.

Procedural Steps for Applicants

If you are applying for a US visa or immigration benefit, here’s what you need to do under the new rules:

Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

Pay the Standard Application Fee: For example, $185 for a B1/B2 visitor visa.
Pay the $250 Visa Integrity Fee: This is collected by the Department of Homeland Security at the time of visa issuance.
Apply for Refund (If Eligible): If you follow all visa rules and leave on time or adjust status, you can apply for a refund of the $250 fee. Details on how to do this are still pending.

ESTA Applicants

Apply Online: Use the official ESTA website.
Pay the Increased Fee: Once the new fee takes effect, pay $40 for ESTA.
Validity: ESTA remains valid for two years or until your passport expires.

Asylum, TPS, and Other Relief Seekers

Pay New Fees: Asylum, TPS, and humanitarian parole applicants must pay the new, higher fees listed above.
Annual Fees: Asylum seekers must also pay $100 per year while waiting for a decision.

Adjustment of Status and Waivers

Green Card Applicants: Pay $1,500 for adjustment of status.
Waiver Applicants: Pay $1,050 for Form I-601 (waiver of inadmissibility). You can find the official form and instructions on the USCIS website.

Penalties and Remittance Tax

Undocumented Presence: A $5,000 penalty applies for failure to appear or entering without inspection.
Remittance Tax: A 1% tax is charged on money sent abroad through non-bank services.

Background and Context

The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” is the most sweeping change to US immigration fees in decades. In the past, some categories—especially humanitarian ones—had free or reduced-cost applications. This law reverses that trend, making almost all applicants pay higher fees with few exceptions.

The law was signed on July 4, 2025, and most changes took effect immediately or will roll out in the coming months. The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department are expected to release more details soon, especially about the refund process for the Visa Integrity Fee and the exact date for the ESTA fee increase.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

Further Guidance: More information is expected soon about how to claim the Visa Integrity Fee refund and when the ESTA fee increase will start.
Legal Challenges: Advocacy groups are preparing lawsuits and lobbying for relief, especially for asylum seekers and low-income families.
Impact Monitoring: Experts will watch closely to see how these changes affect travel, visa issuance, and compliance, especially with major events like the FIFA World Cup and Olympics coming up.

Where to Find Official Information

For the most up-to-date information on US visa fees, application forms, and procedures, always check official government sources:

Practical Takeaways

Plan for Higher Costs: If you plan to visit, study, work, or seek protection in the United States 🇺🇸, budget for higher fees.
Check Official Sources: Rules and fees can change quickly. Always use official government websites for the latest updates.
Keep Records: If you hope to claim a refund for the Visa Integrity Fee, keep careful records of your travel dates and visa status.
Seek Help if Needed: If you have trouble paying fees or understanding the new rules, consider reaching out to a trusted immigration attorney or nonprofit organization.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these fee increases and new surcharges mark a major shift in US immigration policy, with effects that will be felt by millions of people worldwide. Whether you are a traveler, student, worker, or seeking a new life in the United States 🇺🇸, it’s more important than ever to stay informed and prepared for these changes.

Learn Today

Visa Integrity Fee → A new $250 fee for all nonimmigrant visa applicants to promote compliance and fund immigration services.
ESTA → Electronic System for Travel Authorization allowing visa-free travelers short US visits with a $40 fee.
Adjustment of Status → Process allowing eligible immigrants to apply for a green card within the United States.
Humanitarian Parole → Temporary permission to enter the US for urgent humanitarian reasons or public benefit.
Remittance Transfer Tax → A 1% tax on money sent abroad using non-bank services by immigrants.

This Article in a Nutshell

On July 8, 2025, the US enacted major visa fee hikes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introducing a $250 Visa Integrity Fee and raising ESTA, asylum, green card costs. These changes impact travelers, students, workers, and asylum seekers worldwide, marking the largest shift in immigration fees in decades.
— By VisaVerge.com