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Under his 'Big Beautiful Bill' that was signed on July 4, US President Donald Trump has put in place a new 'Visa Integrity Fee' of $250 for the majority of non-immigrant visa categories. Indians who wish to go to the US for tourism, education, or jobs will encounter much higher visa prices starting in 2026. A standard tourist visa, which previously cost under Rs 16,000, could potentially rise to over Rs 40,000. The US Visa Integrity Fee is a new charge of $250 (Rs 21,400) that is non-refundable and will be added to current visa fees. This will be required when the visa is issued and will take effect in 2026. The fee will be updated each year according to inflation rates calculated by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This fee is applicable to most non-immigrant visa types, such as B-1/B-2 (for tourists and business), F and M (for students), H-1B (for workers), and J (for exchange visitors).
Only those with diplomatic visas in categories A and G are not required to pay this fee. For Indian travelers, this means added costs for students, tech workers, tourists, and businesspeople going to the US. Right now, a US B-1/B-2 visa costs $185, which is more than Rs 15,800. After the Visa Integrity Fee is added, along with other smaller fees like the I-94 fee ($24) and the ESTA fee ($13), the overall cost will increase to about $472, or Rs 40,502. This is over two and a half times the current visa fee.For those applying for student or work visas like F or H-1B, prices will also rise sharply. Although the fee cannot be avoided or lowered, it may be refunded under specific conditions. If the visa holder follows all visa rules, such as leaving the US within five days after their visa ends or legally extending their stay or changing their status (like obtaining a green card), they could qualify for a refund.
However, if someone overstays or breaks visa rules, they will not be eligible for a refund. The US government has introduced this fee as a security measure to promote legal behavior among international visitors. It serves as a deposit to encourage travelers to adhere to their visa regulations. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will handle this policy and has the authority to change the fee amount every year based on inflation. In addition to the Visa Integrity Fee, Trump's extensive 'One Big Beautiful Bill' also incorporates a 1 percent excise tax on money transfers, which will make it more expensive for immigrants, including Indians living in the US, to send funds back to their home country. This is part of a legislative move to strengthen immigration rules and boost revenue from foreigners living or working in the US.
