Planning a trip to the U.S.? Get ready to pay more. Thanks to a provision in the new domestic policy bill signed into law by the Trump administration, most international visitors will soon face an extra charge: a "visa integrity fee" of at least $250 tacked onto existing visa costs. How and when the new fee will be implemented is unclear, but here's what you need to know to be prepared.
Who has to pay the visa integrity fee?
Anyone from a country that isn’t part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). That means travelers from places like India, China, Brazil, Nigeria, Mexico, Russia and many more. Even some permanent residents of Canada will have to pay. Whether you’re going for vacation, work, study or cultural exchange, you’ll need to pay the fee when you get your nonimmigrant visa.
Tourists and business travelers from VWP countries (much of Europe, Australia, Japan) won’t have to pay this particular fee for visits up to 90 days—but they’ll still see the cost of the required ESTA authorization nearly double, jumping from $21 to at least $40.
What is the purpose of the visa integrity fee?
According to a State Department spokesperson, the fee is meant to help strengthen immigration enforcement, deter visa overstays and fund border security.
Can you get the fee refunded?
Technically there is a refund option, if you fully follow your visa terms: no overstaying by more than five days, no unauthorized work and leaving (or legally adjusting your status) when your visa expires. But the refund only comes after your visa expires, which could take years. And right now, there’s no clear system for how to actually claim it. Given the number of years before most visas expire, the U.S. Congressional Budget Office expects only a small share of people to even bother seeking reimbursement.
When does the visa integrity fee start?
The law is signed, but the DHS still has to issue regulations to implement it, so it's unclear when the fee will kick in.
What’s the reaction?
The U.S. Travel Association slammed the fee as “a giant leap backwards,” warning it could hike the upfront cost of visiting the U.S. by 144% and discourage tourists, students and business travelers alike.
Bottom line: if you need a visa to visit the U.S., check for updates on the State Department website before you book that flight.