From 2026, the US will begin charging a Visa Integrity Fee of $250 for most non-immigrant visa applications. This includes tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F and M), work (H-1B), and exchange visitor (J) visas. Diplomatic and official visa categories, such as A and G will not be affected by this fee.
This new fee will work like a refundable deposit. It will be returned if the applicant follows all the visa conditions, including not overstaying, not taking up unauthorised work, and leaving the US within five days after the visa expires.
How Will It Work
The fee will be added to existing visa charges. So, when someone applies for a US visa, they will need to pay an extra $250 upfront. If they leave the country on time and follow all visa rules, they can apply to get this money back.
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However, the refund will not be given to those who overstay, break the terms of their visa, or even extend or change their visa status after entering the US. This applies even if the changes are legal.
How Much Will Indian Applicants Pay
For Indians applying for a US tourist visa, the total cost is set to rise significantly. At present, the visa costs $185. When the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee is added, along with the $24 I-94 form fee, the total expense could reach around $459. That comes to nearly Rs 40,500 in today’s terms.
Student and work visas, which already involve higher processing fees, will also become more expensive. For students and professionals planning long stays, this upfront cost could become a financial burden.
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Why the US is Adding This Fee
The US government claims that the primary objective is to curb abuse of visas and make sure that guests observe immigration guidelines. By making the portion of the fee refundable, they expect travellers to have a reason to adhere to the guidelines.
This fee is also anticipated to rise every year from 2026, depending on the inflation rate.
What it Means for Indian Travellers
The US action might impact a broad category of Indian travellers, ranging from vacationers and students to professionals travelling on work visas. Although rule-abiding travellers will be refunded, the upfront cost may deter many from applying at all.
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It can also cause additional bureaucratic hassle and anxiety to those who are not certain what they want to do but prefer their visa record unblemished and also recover their money.
