Keenan Ennis 
Shilpa Malik 
Under a provision in the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” most international visitors requiring a visa will now face a mandatory Visa Integrity Fee of at least $250.
This new requirement, which comes on top of all existing application fees, will create financial and logistical hurdles for many individuals, families, and the businesses that employ foreign nationals. While the stated purpose is to deter visa overstays and enhance security, the implementation details remain unclear, leaving many with more questions than answers.
Who Is Affected by the Visa Integrity Fee?
The fee applies broadly to applicants for most nonimmigrant visas. This includes, but is not limited to:
- B-1/B-2: Tourists and business visitors
- F-1: International students
- H-1B: Specialty occupation workers
- J-1: Exchange visitors
- O-1: Individuals with extraordinary ability
If you are a citizen of a country not included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and need to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy, you should expect to pay this fee.
Travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) under the VWP are exempt from this specific fee. However, the new legislation is also expected to nearly double ESTA fees, from $21 to at least $40.
The “Refundable” Catch
The legislation states the fee as a refundable deposit, returned to the traveler after their trip, provided they comply with all visa conditions, including
- Departing the U.S. on time (not overstaying by more than five days).
- Not engaging in unauthorized employment.
- Otherwise maintaining lawful status.
However, there are significant practical challenges with the reimbursement process:
- A refund can only be requested after the visa expires. Many nonimmigrant visas are valid for up to 10 years, meaning travelers may wait a decade to become eligible for a refund.
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not yet established a mechanism or process for travelers to request or receive their refunds, meaning the fee is effectively non-refundable until such a system is created.
What This Means for Businesses and Employers
For U.S. companies that rely on international talent, this fee introduces another layer of cost and complexity to an already expensive sponsorship process.
VisaNation attorney Brian Thompto stated: “An H-1B applicant applying abroad, whose employer already covers a $780 application fee and a $500 anti-fraud fee, may now be responsible for an additional $250 under the new visa integrity fee.”
Employers must now decide whether to absorb this fee as a recruitment incentive or pass the cost on to their prospective employees, adding another financial hurdle for attracting top global talent.
How VisaNation Can Help
Have questions about how this new fee might affect your travel plans or your business’s immigration strategy?
Contact our office today. Our experienced immigration attorneys are monitoring these developments closely and are prepared to provide the guidance you need to navigate the evolving rules of U.S. immigration.