US Visa Entry Costs Rise Significantly in 2025 Fee Updates

Key Takeaways

• Visa Request Fees for J-1, H-1B, TN, and E-3 visas rise to $580 starting January 1, 2025.
• New $250 Visa Integrity Fee applies to most nonimmigrant visas beginning October 1, 2025, excluding diplomatic visas.
• I-94, ESTA, asylum, and TPS application fees also increased, impacting travelers and protection seekers.

The cost of entering the United States 🇺🇸 is changing in important ways, with new and higher fees that will affect many people planning to visit, study, work, or seek protection in the country. These changes are part of a larger effort by the U.S. government to strengthen immigration enforcement and make sure that people follow visa rules. If you are thinking about applying for a U.S. visa or have a pending application, it’s important to know what’s new, who is affected, when these changes take effect, and what steps you need to take.

Let’s break down the updates, explain what they mean for different groups, and outline what you should do next.

Summary of What Changed

Several new fees and fee increases are now in place or will soon take effect for people seeking to enter the United States 🇺🇸. The most important changes include:

• Visa Request Fee increases for many popular visa types, effective January 1, 2025.
• Introduction of a new Visa Integrity Fee for most nonimmigrant visas, starting October 1, 2025.
• Higher fees for travel documents like the I-94 and ESTA, as well as new fees for asylum and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applications.
• Some visa case management fees have decreased for certain categories.

These changes mean that the total cost of applying for a U.S. visa or travel authorization will go up for most people. The new fees are meant to help the government cover the costs of processing applications and enforcing immigration laws.

Who Is Affected

The fee changes affect a wide range of people, including:

• International students and scholars (F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2 visas)
• Temporary workers and professionals (H-1B, H-4, TN, E-3, O-1, EB-1B visas)
• Business and tourist visitors (B-1/B-2 visas)
• Travelers from countries not in the Visa Waiver Program
• Asylum seekers and people applying for Temporary Protected Status
• Employers sponsoring foreign workers
• Families of visa applicants

Diplomatic visa holders (A and G visas) are not affected by the new Visa Integrity Fee.

Effective Dates

It’s important to pay attention to when each fee change takes effect:

• January 1, 2025: Higher Visa Request Fees for J-1, H-1B, TN, and E-3 visas; higher amendment fees for J-1 documents; lower case management fees for O-1 and EB-1B visas.
• October 1, 2025: New Visa Integrity Fee of $250 for most nonimmigrant visas.
• Other fee increases (I-94, ESTA, asylum, TPS) are being rolled out as part of these broader changes, with some already in effect and others starting in 2025.

Details of the Fee Changes

Let’s look more closely at each major change and what it means for applicants.

Visa Request Fee Increases

Starting January 1, 2025, the Visa Request Fee for several popular visa types has gone up:

• J-1, H-1B, TN, and E-3 visas: The fee is now $580 (up from $562).
• J-1 document amendments (DS-2019): The fee is now $107 (up from $105).
• O-1 and EB-1B visa case management fees: These have decreased to $117 per hour (down from $140).

These fees are paid when you submit your visa application or request changes to your visa status. The increase means that students, scholars, temporary workers, and professionals will need to budget more for their visa applications.

What You Need to Do:
– If you plan to apply for one of these visas after January 1, 2025, make sure you pay the new, higher fee.
– If you submitted your application before this date, the old fee may still apply, but check with the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case.
– For J-1 applicants needing to amend their DS-2019 form, be prepared to pay the new amendment fee. You can find the official DS-2019 form and instructions on the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program website.

Introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee

A major new fee, called the Visa Integrity Fee, will take effect on October 1, 2025. This fee is part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which was signed into law on July 4, 2025.

Key points about the Visa Integrity Fee:

• Amount: $250 per application
• Who pays: Most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those applying for F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, H-1B, and H-4 visas
• Who is exempt: Holders of diplomatic visas (A and G)
• When it starts: October 1, 2025 (the start of the U.S. fiscal year)
• Annual adjustments: The fee will be adjusted every year for inflation, starting in fiscal year 2026, based on the Consumer Price Index

This new fee is in addition to any other visa application fees you must pay. It is meant to help fund immigration enforcement and make sure people follow the rules of their visas.

What You Need to Do:
– If you plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa on or after October 1, 2025, you will need to pay the Visa Integrity Fee along with your regular visa fee.
– If you are applying before October 1, 2025, you do not need to pay this new fee.
– Check the official U.S. Department of State visa information page for updates and payment instructions.

Other Fee Increases

In addition to the main visa fees, the U.S. government has raised fees for other travel documents and immigration benefits:

• I-94 Arrival/Departure Record: The fee is now $24.
• ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization): The fee is now $13.
• Asylum applications: There is now a $1,000 fee to apply for asylum.
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS): There is now a $500 fee for TPS applications.

These changes affect both short-term visitors and people seeking protection or special status in the United States 🇺🇸.

What You Need to Do:
– If you are traveling to the United States 🇺🇸 and need an I-94 or ESTA, make sure you pay the new, higher fee.
– If you plan to apply for asylum or TPS, be prepared for the new application fees.
– For official forms and instructions, visit the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) forms page.

Implications for Pending Applications

If you have already submitted a visa application or immigration benefit request before the new fees take effect, your application will likely be processed under the old fee structure. However, if your application is still pending and you are asked to provide more information or make changes after the new fees start, you may be required to pay the difference.

Key considerations:

• Check your application date: If you applied before the fee increase, you may not need to pay more. If you apply after the new fees start, you must pay the higher amount.
• Watch for requests from the government: If USCIS or the State Department asks for more documents or information, they may also ask for additional fees if your case is still open after the new fees take effect.
• Contact your embassy or consulate: If you are unsure which fee applies to your case, reach out to the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your application.

Practical Implications for Different Groups

International Students and Scholars

• The cost of applying for F-1, F-2, J-1, and J-2 visas is going up, both because of the higher Visa Request Fee and the new Visa Integrity Fee.
• Schools and exchange programs may also pass on higher administrative costs to students.
• Students should budget for these higher costs and check with their school’s international office for guidance.

Temporary Workers and Professionals

• H-1B, H-4, TN, and E-3 visa applicants will pay more to apply or renew their visas.
• Employers who sponsor foreign workers may face higher costs and should plan accordingly.
• The decrease in O-1 and EB-1B case management fees may help offset some costs for highly skilled workers.

Business and Tourist Visitors

• The total cost of a B-1/B-2 visa could nearly triple, making travel to the United States 🇺🇸 more expensive for people from countries not in the Visa Waiver Program.
• Travelers should check if they qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of certain countries to visit the United States 🇺🇸 without a visa for short stays.

Asylum Seekers and TPS Applicants

• The new $1,000 asylum fee and $500 TPS fee may make it harder for some people to seek protection in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Advocacy groups are concerned that these fees could discourage people from applying for help.

Employers and Families

• Employers sponsoring foreign workers will need to budget for higher fees and may need to adjust their hiring plans.
• Families applying together will see their total costs rise, especially if multiple family members need visas.

Why Are These Changes Happening?

The U.S. government says these fee increases and the new Visa Integrity Fee are needed to:

• Cover the costs of processing visa and immigration applications
• Improve immigration enforcement and reduce visa overstays
• Make sure that people who use the immigration system help pay for its costs

Supporters of the changes argue that the new fees will help the government keep better track of who enters and stays in the United States 🇺🇸. They believe that higher fees will encourage people to follow the rules and reduce the number of people who overstay their visas.

Critics, however, worry that the higher costs will make it harder for people to visit, study, or work in the United States 🇺🇸. They say the new fees could discourage talented students and workers from coming to the country and make it harder for families to reunite.

What Should You Do Next?

If you are planning to apply for a U.S. visa or immigration benefit, here are some steps you should take:

1. Check the latest fees: Visit the U.S. Department of State visa fees page to see the current fees for your visa type.
2. Apply early if possible: If you can submit your application before a new fee takes effect, you may save money.
3. Budget for higher costs: Make sure you have enough money to cover all required fees, including the new Visa Integrity Fee if you are applying after October 1, 2025.
4. Stay informed: Rules and fees can change quickly. Check official government websites regularly for updates.
5. Ask for help if needed: If you are unsure about which fees apply to your situation, contact the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country, or speak with a trusted immigration advisor.

Where to Find Official Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information on U.S. visa fees and policies, always use official government sources:

• U.S. Department of State: travel.state.gov
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): uscis.gov

You can also find helpful updates and analysis from organizations like NAFSA (for students and scholars) and Envoy Global (for employers and professionals).

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes mark one of the most significant increases in U.S. visa costs in recent years. The new Visa Request Fee and Visa Integrity Fee are expected to have a wide impact on international travel, study, and work in the United States 🇺🇸.

Final Thoughts

The new and higher visa fees in the United States 🇺🇸 mean that planning ahead is more important than ever. Whether you are a student, worker, tourist, or someone seeking protection, understanding these changes will help you avoid surprises and make better decisions about your immigration journey.

Remember to check official sources, apply early if you can, and budget for the new costs. If you have a pending application, stay in touch with the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case to make sure you meet all requirements.

By staying informed and prepared, you can take the right steps to achieve your goals in the United States 🇺🇸, even as the rules and fees continue to change.

Learn Today

Visa Request Fee → The base fee paid to apply for a visa or to submit visa-related amendments.
Visa Integrity Fee → A new $250 fee starting October 2025 for most nonimmigrant visa applicants to fund enforcement.
I-94 → Arrival/departure record issued to visitors, documenting legal entry and exit from the United States.
ESTA → Electronic System for Travel Authorization enabling certain travelers to visit the U.S. without a visa.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) → Temporary immigration status granted to eligible individuals from designated countries experiencing crises.

This Article in a Nutshell

Starting in 2025, U.S. visa application costs rise significantly with new fees and increases for popular visas, affecting students, workers, and travelers nationwide.
— By VisaVerge.com