(HAWAII) A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee will hit many international visitors to the United States starting October 1, 2025, adding to the cost and complexity of trips to Hawaii at a delicate moment for the state’s global tourism recovery. The fee applies to most nonimmigrant visa applicants who must obtain a visa before travel. It is refundable only if the traveler follows visa rules and leaves the country on time, and refunds come only after the visa expires—often years later—locking up cash for long stretches. U.S. officials say the measure aims to “restore integrity” by tying money to proper compliance. Hawaii’s tourism leaders worry it could discourage travelers from key growth markets.
Hawaii welcomed about 9.7 million visitors in 2024, including roughly 1.8 million international arrivals. Most of those international visitors come from countries in the Visa Waiver Program—such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, and many parts of Europe—or from Canada, and they do not need a visa for short stays. That means they are not subject to the Visa Integrity Fee.
However, the policy will affect large groups who do need visas, including an estimated 173,000 visitors from China and 111,000 from the Philippines, along with travelers from Mexico, India, and other non‑waiver countries. In total, about 500,000 to 600,000 visitors to Hawaii per year—around 5–6% of total arrivals—could face the new charge. These travelers punch above their weight in spending, averaging about $2,200 per person per trip, contributing more than $1 billion each year to the islands’ economy.
Policy details and timeline
- Effective date: October 1, 2025
- Amount: $250 per visa applicant (paid upfront)
- Refund rule: Refund only if the traveler honors the visa terms and leaves on time, and only after the visa has expired
- Purpose stated by U.S. government: To “restore integrity” by increasing accountability to visa rules
- Legislative basis: Introduced under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), Public Law 119‑21, signed on July 4, 2025
- Related fee activity: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services began broader fee updates on July 22, 2025, though the Visa Integrity Fee applies specifically to applicants at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad from October 1 onward
Officials have not published a detailed refund procedure. Based on rollout descriptions so far, either the Department of State or USCIS is expected to administer refunds. Until a formal process is posted, applicants should keep careful records of visa issuance and travel compliance.
Important: Refunds are only available after visa expiry and only if visa terms are honored. This can mean years of tied‑up funds.
Who is affected — market impact for Hawaii
Hawaii’s dependence on high‑spending international guests makes this change more than a policy footnote. Visitors from China and the Philippines—who often must apply for B‑1/B‑2 (business/tourist) visas—are important to the state’s effort to diversify beyond the mainland U.S. market. Industry groups have spent years trying to rebuild long‑haul demand after pandemic‑era slowdowns and flight reductions. The new Visa Integrity Fee could slow that rebound by adding a cost that many travelers will not see again for years.
Key market breakdown:
– China: Roughly 173,000 visitors could face the extra $250. Even a modest drop in this group’s travel would affect hotel occupancy, retail, and dining, especially in Honolulu and resort areas.
– Philippines: About 111,000 visitors could be subject to the fee. Family visits and multi‑generation trips are common; locking up $250 per person may shift plans or shorten stays.
– Other non‑waiver countries: Mexico, India, and others also contribute. Many travelers in these markets plan months ahead and budget closely; the extra outlay could push some to alternative destinations in Asia or the Pacific that don’t require visas.
International travelers’ spending extends beyond hotels. The average $2,200 per person supports guided tours, cultural experiences, inter‑island flights, and retail purchases that benefit small businesses away from resort corridors. If fewer non‑waiver visitors arrive—or if they cut trip length—the ripple effects could reach vendors, drivers, and restaurant workers across the islands.
The fee’s timing is also a concern. It starts just as airlines and tour operators rebuild schedules and marketing for 2026 and beyond. If booking interest dips now, carriers could hesitate to add capacity, stretching the recovery timeline.
At the same time, most international visitors to Hawaii will remain unaffected because they travel visa‑free under the Visa Waiver Program or as Canadian nationals. That reality could soften the headline impact, but it still leaves a meaningful gap in high‑spend segments. Group tours and special‑interest trips—such as golf, weddings, and medical travel—are particularly price‑sensitive at planning stage.
How the fee works (practical steps)
- Applicants from non‑waiver countries apply for their visas at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- They pay the standard visa application fee—usually $185—plus the $250 Visa Integrity Fee at the same stage.
- If the visa is approved, they travel and must follow the visa terms.
- A refund of the $250 is available only if they leave on time and only after the visa expires, which might be several years after issuance.
- Refund procedures have not been spelled out; they are expected to involve the Department of State or USCIS.
Practical wrinkles:
– For repeat travelers with multi‑year visas, refunds are delayed until visa expiry—even if they made multiple trips.
– If a traveler must renew a visa later, another $250 applies to the new visa, potentially stacking tied‑up cash.
– Travel agents note that the refund‑after‑expiry rule is the single most likely factor to alter traveler behavior.
Related policy context
On June 9, 2025, a new Presidential Proclamation set travel bans and restrictions on nationals from 19 countries. It imposed full bans on 12 countries and partial bans on 7, affecting visa categories including B‑1/B‑2 (tourist/business), F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange visitor). Those restrictions are distinct from the Visa Integrity Fee, but together they add hurdles for certain travelers considering trips to Hawaii.
U.S. officials frame the new fee as a compliance tool, arguing a refundable deposit can encourage timely departures and reduce overstay risks. Hawaii’s tourism industry counters that most visitors already follow the rules and that the fee punishes the many for problems caused by the few. Immigration policy watchers note that the fairness and practical impact will depend heavily on how refund procedures are designed.
Recommendations for travelers and businesses
- Travel operators should build the $250 into quote sheets and explain refund timing plainly.
- Families should budget for the added cost well before embassy or consulate interviews.
- If travel dates shift or a visa goes unused, applicants should keep all documentation (visa issuance, travel records, entry/exit stamps) that may be needed once refund procedures are published.
- Stay informed via official channels for fee schedules and process updates.
Official fee schedules and updates appear on the U.S. Department of State’s visa fees page, the primary source for payment rules and changes. Travelers and employers can check the latest information at the Department of State’s Visa Services Fees portal: U.S. Department of State – Visa Fees. Consular posts also post local instructions for paying fees and scheduling interviews.
Legislative and administrative notes
- The Visa Integrity Fee originates from OBBBA, Public Law 119‑21, enacted on July 4, 2025.
- USCIS launched related fee changes on July 22, 2025, but those apply to immigration benefits and filings within the United States rather than consular visas abroad.
- The Integrity Fee itself applies at the consular stage overseas starting October 1, 2025.
Hawaii’s leaders are monitoring the situation. Proposed industry responses include:
– Targeted relief such as waivers for certain age groups
– Faster refund timelines once compliance is confirmed
– Airline and tour promotions to offset the upfront hit
Whether such measures gain traction may depend on traveler trends in late 2025 and early 2026.
What this means for different travelers
- A family saving for a once‑in‑a‑lifetime holiday may absorb the extra $250 per person and proceed.
- A student or young professional considering a short stopover could choose a destination that doesn’t require a visa.
- A business traveler with recurrent trips may accept the deposit but will want clarity on retrieving it later without excessive paperwork.
What is clear is the fee adds a new line to the cost of visiting Hawaii for hundreds of thousands of people each year. If the policy promotes compliance without sharply reducing travel, Hawaii may see little long‑term change. If it deters large numbers—especially from China and the Philippines—the effects could stretch from resort corridors to neighborhood shops. The coming seasons will reveal which path the islands face as the Visa Integrity Fee takes effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
The U.S. will implement a $250 Visa Integrity Fee for most nonimmigrant visa applicants starting October 1, 2025, under Public Law 119‑21 (OBBBA). The fee is paid upfront at consular visa processing and is refundable only after the visa expires—and only if the traveler complied with visa terms—potentially tying funds up for years. Hawaii could see 500,000–600,000 visitors affected annually (about 5–6% of arrivals), notably roughly 173,000 from China and 111,000 from the Philippines. These visitors average $2,200 in trip spending, contributing over $1 billion yearly. The policy aims to reduce overstays by increasing accountability; industry leaders warn it may reduce demand in high‑spend international segments. Travelers should budget for the fee, retain travel records for refunds, and watch Department of State and consular posts for refund procedures.
