TL;DR
- A new Visa Integrity Fee of at least US$250 was written into H.R.-1 (“One Big Beautiful Bill”) and applies to most non-immigrant visas.
- The law sets a planned start on October 1, 2025, but the exact collection and refund procedures are still being finalized by federal agencies.
- Most Canadians who travel without a U.S. visa will not pay this fee; Canadians who must apply for a U.S. visa at a consulate (for example certain long-term or special-status applicants) would be affected.
What is the Visa Integrity Fee
The U.S. visa integrity fee is a new financial requirement for many travelers seeking entry into the United States. Introduced as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” this $250 fee is levied on non-immigrant visa applicants. The primary goal of this fee is to ensure that visitors adhere to the terms of their visas, particularly regarding their authorized length of stay.
This fee is in addition to the standard visa application fees, such as the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and cannot be waived. For many, this will mean a substantial increase in the overall cost of obtaining a U.S. visa. The implementation of this fee is part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to enhance the integrity of its immigration system and to fund the operational costs of border security and visa processing.
Who Will Have to Pay It
Anyone who is issued a non-immigrant visa (B-1/B-2 tourist/business, F/M student, H work visas, J exchange, etc.) will generally be subject to the fee unless the statute or regulations list an exemption.
Dependents: the fee is structured as per-person (expect the $250 to apply per individual visa issuance).
Exemptions: Travelers who do not require a visa – for example most Canadians traveling to the U.S. for short visits under standard Canadian-entry rules, or travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are not subject to the fee when no visa is issued.
The exemption does not apply to everyone. The following groups will be required to pay the visa integrity fee:
- Canadian Permanent Residents:Permanent residents of Canada who are not citizens of a Visa Waiver Program country will need to pay the fee if they are applying for a U.S. visa.
- Canadians Applying for Specific Visas:Canadian citizens applying for certain types of non-immigrant visas, such as work visas (e.g., H-1B, L-1), student visas (F-1), or fiancé(e) visas (K-1), will be subject to the fee.
- Travelers from Non-Visa Waiver Program Countries:The fee applies to all nationals from countries that are not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program who are applying for a non-immigrant.
When Will It Take Effect
The visa integrity fee is now in full effect. The key date for travelers to be aware of is:
October 1, 2025: This is the date the US visa integrity fee was officially implemented. All qualifying non-immigrant visa applications submitted on or after this date are subject to the $250 fee.
The fee was signed into law on July 4, 2025, as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Following the signing, there was a period of coordination between various U.S. government agencies to prepare for its implementation. Travelers who applied for their visas before October 1, 2025, were not subject to this new fee.
Looking ahead, it is also important to note that the $250 fee is not static. The legislation allows for the fee to be adjusted annually for inflation, starting in 2026. This means that the cost of the visa integrity fee is likely to increase over time. Travelers should always check the latest information from the U.S. Department of State or the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate for the most current fee amounts.
How Much Will A Visa Cost After the New Fee
The introduction of the US visa integrity fee represents a significant new expense for many travelers. At its current rate, the fee adds $250 to the cost of a non-immigrant visa application. This is on top of the existing fees, which can vary depending on the visa category.
Here’s a simplified breakdown of the potential costs for a non-petition-based non-immigrant visa, such as a B1/B2 tourist visa:
- Standard Visa Application (MRV) Fee:This fee is typically around $185.
- New Visa Integrity Fee:An additional $250.
- Total Cost:This brings the total cost for a single visa application to approximately $435.
For families, these costs can add up quickly. A family of four applying for visas could face an additional $1,000 in visa integrity fees alone, bringing their total visa application costs to over $1,700.
It is important to remember that this fee is per person, per visa application. So, if you are applying for visas for multiple family members, you will need to pay the $250 fee for each individual.
For employment-based visas, such as the H-1B, the costs can be even higher. Employers who sponsor foreign workers will need to factor in this new fee on top of the already substantial government filing fees, which can run into the thousands of dollars.
Refund / Reimbursement Conditions
One of the most talked-about aspects of the US visa integrity fee is its potential for a refund. The fee is designed to be an incentive for compliance, and as such, it can be reimbursed if certain conditions are met. However, the process for obtaining a refund is still not fully defined, and travelers should be prepared for a potentially lengthy and complex process.
To be eligible for a refund of the visa integrity fee, a traveler must:
- Comply with all visa terms:This means adhering to all the rules and regulations associated with your specific visa category.
- Not overstay your authorized period of stay:You must depart the United States on or before the date stamped in your passport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. A grace period of no more than five days is generally allowed.
- Refrain from unauthorized employment:You cannot engage in any work that is not permitted under the terms of your visa.
- Depart the U.S. on time or legally extend/adjust your status:You must either leave the country within the authorized time-frame or have successfully applied for and been granted an extension of your stay or an adjustment of your immigration status.
It is crucial to understand that the refund is not automatic. Travelers will likely need to proactively apply for the refund and provide evidence of their compliance, such as boarding passes or other travel records. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is expected to release more detailed information on the specific procedures for claiming a refund.
Practical Advice for Canadian Travelers
With the new US visa integrity fee in place, it is more important than ever to plan your travel budget carefully. Here are a few tips to help you navigate this new expense:
- If you don’t need a U.S. visa, you probably won’t pay the $250. Most short-term Canadian visitors do not get a non-immigrant visa; therefore, the new fee will not affect standard tourist/business trips. Still confirm your specific case (e.g., some categories of stays or special statuses require a visa).
- If you must apply for a visa, add $250 per person to your visa budget and plan for extra admin time. That includes family members and dependents who each require an issued visa.
- Save receipts and track travel compliance (departure records, immigration stamps): the law contemplates reimbursements for those who comply- documentation will matter if/when refund rules are published.
- Don’t prepay “official” charges through unofficial channels. Wait for the embassy/consulate or the State Department to publish payment instructions (most consulates use secure government payment portals).
- Watch official sources: the U.S. Department of State visa fees page and your nearest U.S. embassy/consulate website are the authoritative places for the operational details and any country-specific rules.
FAQ
Q: What is the Visa Integrity Fee?
A: The U.S. visa integrity fee is a new $250 charge for most nonimmigrant visa applicants. It is intended to encourage compliance with U.S. immigration laws and is potentially refundable if all visa conditions are met.
Q: Will Canadians have to pay it?
A: For the most part, Canadian citizens traveling for tourism or short-term business do not need to pay the visa integrity fee. However, Canadian permanent residents and citizens applying for specific visa types, such as work or study visas, will be required to pay the fee.
Q: When does it start?
A: The visa integrity fee was implemented on October 1, 2025.
Q: Can I get the fee refunded?
A: The statute allows for reimbursement in compliant cases, but the actual administrative refund process must be set by agencies. Save proof of travel and compliance.
Q: What should families expect?
A: The fee is per-person. For multi-member families requiring visas, multiply $250 by the number of visas issued and include that in your trip budget.
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