Visa Costs Surge: US Introduces $250 Integrity Fee for Indian Tourists and Students

Starting January 2026, Indian applicants for US non-immigrant visas will face a steep hike in costs as the US government rolls out a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee. The fee, part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, is designed to act as a refundable security deposit to curb visa overstays and ensure compliance.

Key Details of the New Fee Structure

- The $250 fee applies to most non-immigrant visa categories including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F and M (student), H-1B (work), and J (exchange)  
- Diplomatic visas (A and G types) are exempt from the surcharge  
- The fee is non-waivable and must be paid at the time of visa issuance  
- Refund eligibility requires strict compliance with visa terms, including timely departure or legal status adjustment  
- The fee will be adjusted annually for inflation starting in FY2026  

Impact on Indian Applicants

- Total visa costs could rise to approximately $472 (around Rs 40,456), nearly 2.5 times the current B-1/B-2 visa fee of $185  
- Additional charges include a $24 I-94 surcharge and, where applicable, $13 ESTA or $30 EVUS fees  
- Students and professionals may face delayed refunds due to long visa durations and complex compliance tracking  
- Critics argue the fee disproportionately burdens law-abiding travellers and adds to existing processing delays  

Outlook

While the US aims to tighten immigration enforcement, the new fee may deter Indian tourists and students, especially amid rising education and travel costs.

Sources: Firstpost, Hindustan Times, CNBC-TV18, The Logical Indian, Economic Times, MSN India, Travelobiz, VisaVerge.com, US Department of Homeland Security regulatory updates