US hikes student, tourist, H-1B visa charges with $250 security deposit

The US has implemented yet another change in its immigration policy with the introduction of a $250 Visa Integrity Fee under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was signed into law on July 4. The fee, which will change annually as it is pegged on inflation, is like a security deposit and the amount might be refunded if the applicants meet certain criteria. It is seen as an attempt by the Trump administration to make applicants follow US immigration laws.

The One Big Beautiful Bill became an Act after President Trump signed it on July 4. The new visa rule is part of the omnibus Act.

According to the new rule, this mandatory fee, effective from 2026, would apply to “any alien issued a non-immigrant visa” applications, including tourist/business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B), and exchange (J) visas, with exemptions only for diplomatic visa categories (A and G).

As outlined in the law, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will impose this surcharge at the time of visa issuance, in addition to existing visa application costs.

The new rules come amid President Donald Trump’s heightened efforts to strengthen enforcement against illegal immigration.

Additionally, the bill introduces other travel-related fees, including a $24 I-94 fee, a $13 Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA) fee for Visa Waiver Programme travellers, and a $30 Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) fee for certain Chinese nationals with 10-year B-1/B-2 visas, none of which are waivable, said a report by Fragomen, a US-based immigration services firm.

As of today, a US tourist/business visa (B-1/B-2) for Indians costs around $185 (Rs 15,855). With the new surcharges, which include the Integrity Fee of $250, the $24 I-94 fee, and the $13 ESTA fee, the tourist visa would cost around $472 (Rs 40,456) – nearly two-and-a-half times the original cost.

The government has the authority to increase this fee through future regulations, and starting in 2026, the amount will adjust annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), creating a recurring, inflation-indexed cost for applicants.

The fee is seemingly designed to act as a security deposit, possibly to encourage compliance with US immigration laws.

While the fee might reduce visa overstays, at the same time it may discourage lawful visitors and even limit cultural exchanges, particularly for applicants from developing nations.

HOW TO GET US VISA INTEGRITY FEE REFUNDED?

Refund of the fee is possible, but it comes with stringent conditions.

Visa holders may request a refund if they depart from the US within five days of their visa expiration without seeking an extension or status change, or if they successfully adjust to permanent residency before the I-94 expiry date.

The I-94 is an Arrival/Departure Record issued by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to non-immigrants entering the US.

The refund process, however, is not automatic and requires substantial documentation, such as departure records or proof of status adjustment.

Non-compliance will result in the fee being directed to the US Treasury’s general fund.

Further guidance from the US State Department is anticipated to clarify refund procedures.

While the fee might reduce visa overstays, it may discourage lawful visitors and even limit cultural exchanges, particularly for applicants from developing nations.

For tourists and students from developing nations, the Visa Integrity Fee is a substantial financial hurdle, which may need careful advance planning to manage the increased costs.

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