Starting October 1, many people applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa — whether for tourism, study, or work — may face a new $250 “visa integrity fee.” This change, introduced under the “One Big Beautiful Border Act” (OBBBA), marks one of the most significant updates to U.S. immigration-related fees in recent years.
The visa integrity fee is a non-waivable $250 charge that must be paid at the time a visa is issued. It applies to nearly all nonimmigrant visas, including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business), F-1 (student), and most employment-based categories (including H-1B, L-1, O-1, and TN).
Importantly, travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries — who use the ESTA system instead of applying for a visa — are exempt from this fee.
Technically, yes — but don’t count on it. The law allows for the possibility of reimbursement after the visa expires, if the visa holder fully complies with all the terms of their visa, including:
However, the process for obtaining a refund is unclear, and DHS has not yet provided details on how or when travelers can apply for reimbursement. Considering many people might just forget after being the U.S. for years, the reality is that many applicants may never see that $250 again — even if they follow the rules perfectly.
For individuals, the fee adds a new cost to what’s already an expensive process.
International students, temporary workers, and visa renewals will all likely face this new financial burden.
If you’re an employer sponsoring foreign talent (e.g., H-1B workers), the integrity fee applies here too. Companies will need to decide whether to cover this cost for employees or expect them to pay it out-of-pocket.
The visa integrity fee is just one part of the OBBBA’s broader changes. All of this reflects a shift in U.S. immigration policy — pushing more of the financial responsibility onto applicants and visa holders themselves.
The new $250 visa integrity fee could create real obstacles for travelers, students, and workers looking to visit or stay in the U.S. While it’s presented as refundable in theory, most applicants should treat it as a nonrefundable cost of applying when considering it, at least for now.
If you’re planning a trip to the U.S. or advising someone who is, make sure you account for this new fee — and stay tuned for updates as DHS rolls out more details on how refunds might work in the future.
For any questions or concerns, feel free to email us at michael@wildeslaw.com
*This is developing, and this post may not be updated.
