Visits to the United States are set to become more expensive due to a new visa charge laid out in President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. The so-called “visa integrity fee” of $250 (around €214) will be payable by everyone travelling to the US on a non-immigrant visa.
Though the mechanism to collect the levy is not yet in place, it should be coming into force before the end of the 2025 tax year (September 2025). It comes on top of recent increases to standard visa application fees, such as the $24 (€20) Form I-94 or Department of Homeland Security Arrival/Departure Record issued to “aliens” admitted to the US.
While Section 10007 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act requires payment of the fee and denies the possibility of any waivers or reductions, in reality citizens of countries that have visa waiver agreements with the US will be exempt. However, they will now pay nearly 100% more to obtain the necessary Electronic System for Travel Authorization (Esta) – the price of which is about to increase from $21 (€18) to $40 (€25).
The U.S. Congress has approved a new visa fee increase expected to take effect in October under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” signed by President Donald Trump on July 4.
— Thai Enquirer (@ThaiEnquirer) July 18, 2025
A new “Integrity Fee” will add $250 (over 8,000 baht) to the cost of all non-immigrant visas, including… pic.twitter.com/5zuP0yvHus
It might also be possible to claim back the visa integrity charge after the trip to the US, as long as all the visa conditions have been met, including not undertaking any paid work during the visit, prompting some commentators to describe the fee as a type of refundable security deposit. Those who want a refund will also need to ensure they have left the US within five days of their visa running out. Alternatively they need to successfully apply to become a permanent resident, in which case they will also be eligible for a refund.
Millions of leisure, business, and student travellers are expected to be affected by the fee. A State Department visa office report shows almost 11 million non-immigrant visas were granted for 2024. Had all those visitors been charged the fee, it would have raised $2.75 billion (€2.35 billion). The fee may go up or down in future as it is intended to be adjusted annually in line with inflation.
SIGNED. SEALED. DELIVERED. 🧾🇺🇸
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 4, 2025
President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill is now LAW — and the Golden Age has never felt better. pic.twitter.com/t0q2DbZLz5
The introduction of the new charge has drawn criticism from nonprofit trade body, the US Travel Association, which has estimated it raises the cost of visiting the US by 144%. The association has repeatedly warned of potential revenue and job losses due to the the chilling effect on tourism of Trump’s foreign policy and dubbed the fee “a giant leap backwards”. In a statement, senior vice president of government relations, Erik Hansen, said it creates “an unnecessary financial barrier for international visitors”, adding: “Even if it is technically reimbursable, the added complexity and cost will discourage visitors.”
