Canadian permanent residents traveling to the United States 🇺🇸 will soon face a new cost at the border. Starting July 18, 2025, the U.S. government will require a “visa integrity fee” from nonimmigrant visa holders, including Canadian permanent residents, as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The fee, set at $250 for the first year, is designed to encourage visitors to follow U.S. immigration rules and will be adjusted for inflation in future years.
This new requirement comes as part of a larger effort by the U.S. to strengthen its immigration system and ensure that people who enter on temporary visas leave on time or adjust their status legally. The visa integrity fee is one of several changes included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025. Here’s what Canadian permanent residents and other nonimmigrant visa holders need to know about this new fee, how it works, and what it means for travel and immigration.
What Is the Visa Integrity Fee?
The visa integrity fee is a new charge that applies to people entering the United States 🇺🇸 on nonimmigrant visas. Nonimmigrant visas are for people who want to visit, work, or study in the U.S. for a limited time, such as F-1 student visas, H-1B work visas, and J-1 exchange visitor visas. The fee does not apply to travelers using the Visa Waiver Program or to most Canadian citizens, who usually do not need a visa for short visits.
Key Details About the Fee:
- Amount: The fee is set at $250 for Fiscal Year 2025. The Secretary of Homeland Security can increase this amount, and starting in 2026, it will go up each year based on inflation.
- Who Pays: All nonimmigrant visa holders, including Canadian permanent residents who need a visa to enter the U.S., must pay the fee. Most Canadian citizens are exempt because they do not need a visa for short stays.
- When and How: The fee will be collected when a visa is issued, but the exact process is still being worked out by the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security.
- Refunds: If a visa holder follows all the rules—leaving the U.S. on time or getting a legal extension or change of status—the fee may be refunded.
Why Is the Fee Being Introduced?
U.S. officials say the visa integrity fee is meant to make sure people follow the rules of their visas. By requiring a refundable payment, the government hopes to encourage visitors to leave when their visa expires or to adjust their status legally if they want to stay longer. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this approach acts like a security deposit, giving people a financial reason to comply with immigration laws.
The fee is also part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a wide-ranging immigration law that aims to improve border security and make the visa system more reliable. Supporters of the law argue that these changes will help prevent visa overstays and reduce illegal immigration.
How Does the Fee Affect Canadian Permanent Residents?
For Canadian permanent residents, the new fee is a significant change. While Canadian citizens usually do not need a visa for short visits to the United States 🇺🇸, permanent residents of Canada who are not citizens must apply for a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S. This means they will now have to pay the visa integrity fee in addition to the regular visa application fee and any other charges.
Practical Impacts:
- Higher Costs: The fee adds $250 (or more, if increased) to the cost of getting a U.S. visa. This is on top of the existing machine-readable visa (MRV) application fee and any reciprocity fees that may apply.
- Travel Planning: Canadian permanent residents will need to budget for the extra cost and allow more time for visa processing, especially as the collection process is still being developed.
- Refund Possibility: If they follow all visa rules, they may get the fee back, but the process for refunds is not yet clear.
Who Is Exempt from the Fee?
Most Canadian citizens are not affected by the visa integrity fee because they do not need a visa for short-term visits to the United States 🇺🇸. The fee also does not apply to people entering under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of certain countries to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa.
Other Nonimmigrant Visa Holders
The visa integrity fee will also affect people from other countries who need a nonimmigrant visa to enter the United States 🇺🇸. This includes students, temporary workers, exchange visitors, and their family members. The fee is in addition to other visa-related costs, making travel to the U.S. more expensive for many people.
How Will the Fee Be Collected?
The U.S. government has not yet finalized how the visa integrity fee will be collected. It may be paid at the time of visa application, when the visa is issued, or possibly at the port of entry. The Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security are expected to provide more details in the coming months.
Possible Collection Methods:
- Online Payment: Visa applicants may be asked to pay the fee online as part of the application process.
- At the Embassy or Consulate: The fee could be collected when applicants attend their visa interview.
- At the Border: In some cases, the fee might be paid at the U.S. port of entry, though this is less likely for most visa types.
Until the government announces the official process, visa applicants should check the U.S. Department of State website for updates.
Can the Fee Be Waived or Reduced?
No, the visa integrity fee cannot be waived or reduced. All nonimmigrant visa holders who are required to pay must do so. However, the law allows for the fee to be refunded if the visa holder fully complies with the terms of their visa, leaves the U.S. on time, or legally extends or changes their status.
Refund Process:
- Eligibility: To get a refund, visa holders must show they followed all the rules of their visa.
- How to Apply: The process for requesting a refund has not been announced yet. More information is expected from the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State.
- Timing: Refunds may take time to process, and applicants should keep records of their travel and visa compliance.
What Does the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Change?
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a major immigration law passed in July 2025. It includes several changes to U.S. immigration policy, with the visa integrity fee being one of the most talked-about measures. The law aims to:
- Increase Border Security: By making it harder for people to overstay their visas, the law hopes to reduce illegal immigration.
- Encourage Compliance: The refundable fee gives people a reason to follow the rules and leave the U.S. when their visa expires.
- Raise Revenue: The fee also brings in money that can be used to improve visa processing and enforcement.
Different Perspectives on the Fee
The visa integrity fee has sparked debate among different groups:
- Government Officials: U.S. officials say the fee is necessary to protect the country’s borders and make sure people follow immigration laws.
- Immigrant Advocacy Groups: Some groups argue that the fee is an extra burden for people who are following the rules and trying to visit, work, or study in the U.S. legally. They worry it could make it harder for families to visit each other or for students to afford studying in the U.S.
- Employers and Schools: Businesses and universities that rely on foreign workers and students may face more paperwork and higher costs as a result of the new fee. They may also need to help employees and students understand the new rules and refund process.
What Should Canadian Permanent Residents Do Now?
If you are a Canadian permanent resident planning to travel to the United States 🇺🇸 after July 18, 2025, here are some steps you can take:
- Check Your Visa Requirements: Make sure you know which type of nonimmigrant visa you need. Common types include B-1/B-2 (visitor), F-1 (student), and H-1B (worker).
- Budget for Extra Costs: Plan for the $250 visa integrity fee, plus the regular visa application fee and any other charges.
- Stay Informed: Watch for updates from the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security about how and when to pay the fee.
- Keep Records: If you want to apply for a refund later, keep proof that you followed all visa rules and left the U.S. on time or changed your status legally.
- Ask for Help: If you have questions, contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, or visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa page for official information.
Common Questions and Concerns
- Will the Fee Go Up? Yes, the fee will be adjusted each year for inflation starting in 2026. The Secretary of Homeland Security can also increase it at any time.
- Does It Affect Canadian Citizens? No, most Canadian citizens do not need a visa for short visits and are not required to pay the fee.
- What If I Overstay My Visa? If you do not follow the rules of your visa, you will not get the fee refunded and may face other penalties, such as being barred from returning to the U.S.
- Can I Get Help With the Refund? More information about the refund process will be available soon. For now, keep all documents related to your visa and travel.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The U.S. government is still working out the details of how the visa integrity fee will be collected and refunded. More guidance is expected in the coming months. In the meantime, travelers should prepare for the new cost and keep up to date with official announcements.
The introduction of the visa integrity fee marks a significant change for Canadian permanent residents and other nonimmigrant visa holders. While the fee is intended to improve compliance with U.S. immigration laws, it also adds to the financial and administrative burden of traveling to the United States 🇺🇸. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the success of the fee will depend on how fairly and efficiently it is implemented, and whether it truly encourages people to follow the rules.
Action Steps for Affected Travelers
- Review your visa status and requirements before planning travel to the U.S.
- Budget for the new visa integrity fee and other related costs.
- Monitor official government websites for updates on the collection and refund process.
- Keep thorough records of your travel and visa compliance to support any refund claim.
For the latest and most accurate information, always refer to the U.S. Department of State’s official visa page, which provides updates on visa policies, fees, and application procedures.
By staying informed and prepared, Canadian permanent residents and other nonimmigrant visa holders can better manage the changes brought by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and continue to travel, work, and study in the United States 🇺🇸 with confidence.
Learn Today
Visa Integrity Fee → A $250 refundable charge for nonimmigrant visa holders to encourage compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
Nonimmigrant Visa → A temporary visa for visitors, students, or workers staying in the U.S. for a limited period.
One Big Beautiful Bill Act → A 2025 immigration law introducing new fees and measures to strengthen U.S. immigration compliance.
Canadian Permanent Resident → A status allowing a person to live in Canada permanently but without Canadian citizenship.
Refundable Fee → A payment that can be returned if the visa holder complies with all visa conditions.
This Article in a Nutshell
Canadian permanent residents traveling to the U.S. face a new $250 visa integrity fee starting July 18, 2025, under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aimed at enforcing immigration compliance and reducing visa overstays by making the fee refundable for those who follow rules.
— By VisaVerge.com
