Overview of the Visa Integrity Fee
Under the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” most international travelers applying for U.S. nonimmigrant visas are now required to pay a Visa Integrity Fee of $250. This new charge is in addition to existing visa application fees and applies to nearly all nonimmigrant visa categories. However, travelers from countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—including Australia and many European nations—are exempt from this requirement.
While the stated goal of the Visa Integrity Fee is to discourage visa overstays and strengthen U.S. border security, it also introduces new financial and administrative burdens for both applicants and U.S. employers who depend on global talent.
Who Is Required to Pay the Fee?
The Visa Integrity Fee affects a broad range of nonimmigrant visa categories, including but not limited to:
- B-1/B-2: Business visitors and tourists
- F-1: International students
- H-1B: Specialty occupation professionals
- J-1: Exchange visitors
- O-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability
If you are from a country not listed under the Visa Waiver Program, you must pay this new fee when applying at a U.S. consulate or embassy.
Visa Waiver Program Travelers:
Those who use the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) remain exempt from this particular fee. However, under the same legislation, ESTA fees are expected to rise from $21 to at least $40, nearly doubling the cost for VWP travelers.
Is the Visa Integrity Fee Refundable?
Although the law categorizes this new charge as a “refundable deposit,” the refund process comes with strict conditions and long waiting periods. To qualify for reimbursement, travelers must:
- Depart the United States on or before their authorized stay ends (no more than five days late);
- Avoid unauthorized employment; and
- Maintain lawful nonimmigrant status during their visit.
However, the refund is only available after the visa expires, and since many nonimmigrant visas are valid for up to 10 years, applicants may wait a decade before becoming eligible to request repayment.
Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not yet created an official refund process or system, effectively making the Visa Integrity Fee non-refundable for now.
Impact on U.S. Businesses and Employers
For U.S. employers who sponsor or hire foreign workers, this new rule introduces yet another layer of cost and complexity. Employers already navigating the visa sponsorship process—often involving multiple government fees—must now factor in this additional $250 charge.
For example, an H-1B applicant applying abroad—whose employer already pays a $780 application fee and a $500 anti-fraud fee—will now be responsible for the added $250 Visa Integrity Fee. Employers must decide whether to absorb this cost to stay competitive in recruitment or pass it on to employees, potentially creating another barrier to attracting high-skilled global talent.
How Green Card Link Can Help
If you’re unsure how the new Visa Integrity Fee affects your travel, study, or hiring plans, the immigration attorneys at Green Card Link are here to guide you. Our experienced team closely monitors legislative updates and helps individuals, families, and businesses navigate the changing landscape of U.S. immigration policy.
Whether you are applying for a temporary visa or managing employee sponsorships, Green Card Link provides personalized, strategic advice to ensure compliance and minimize disruption.
Contact Green Card Link today to schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney at Green Card Link and get clarity on how this new policy impacts your immigration journey.