Trump slaps new $ 250 visa fee

• Move to charge additional ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ from 1 October; steep financial blow to tourists including Sri Lankans

By Roy Denish

In a move reflecting his ‘America First’ agenda, US President Donald J. Trump has introduced the ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ as part of his ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ to charge an additional $ 250 for visitors entering the US on various temporary visas, including tourist, business, and exchange, significantly impacting a vast number of immigrants. 

The law, signed into law on 4 July and overwhelmingly supported by his party stalwarts, will have a devastating consequence on Sri Lankans, given the devaluation of the rupee in the world market. The implementation of the legislation is slated to come into effect from 1 October this 

year.“The landscape of international travel to the US is undergoing a significant shift with the introduction of a new ‘Visa Integrity Fee.

 This additional charge, set at $ 250, is poised to impact a vast number of non-immigrant visitors, including those seeking entry for holiday, business, or educational pursuits. As of July 2025, this development necessitates a comprehensive understanding for all prospective travellers, as it adds a new layer of financial consideration to the already existing visa application processes,” an immigration lawyer in San Fernando Valley said. 

Its stated objective by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is to bolster the integrity of the US immigration system by deterring visa overstays. 

This fee functions somewhat as a compliance bond, applying broadly to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories. This includes the widely used B-1/B-2 visas for tourism and business, F and M visas for students, H-1B/H-4 visas for temporary workers, and J visas for exchange visitors. 

Notably, certain categories remain exempt, such as diplomatic (A and G) visas, and crucially, visitors from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will not incur this charge, as their short-term stays do not typically require a traditional visa. 

A key aspect of this new fee is the theoretical possibility of a refund for travellers who strictly adhere to their visa terms, including timely departure; however, details on the refund mechanism are currently vague, leading immigration experts to advise travellers to consider the fee non-refundable in their financial planning.

This new $ 250 charge is not a replacement for existing fees but rather an addition to them, significantly increasing the overall cost of obtaining a US visa. 

For most non-petition-based non-immigrant visas, such as the B-1/B-2 and F categories, the standard Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) application fee remains at $ 185. Student and exchange visitors must also continue to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee, which currently stands at approximately $ 350, dedicated to maintaining the SEVIS database that tracks international students and exchange participants. Furthermore, the fee for the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, a crucial document for tracking entry and exit, has seen an increase from $ 6 to $ 24. 

Beyond these fixed Government charges, travellers may also encounter ‘reciprocity fees,’ which are levied on citizens of certain countries based on the fees their governments impose on US citizens for similar visa types. These core fees, combined with potential costs for document preparation, translation services, and courier delivery, paint a more expensive picture for prospective visitors.

The cumulative effect of these fees will undoubtedly impact the financial burden on international travellers, particularly for those in nations like Sri Lanka grappling with currency devaluation. For Sri Lankan citizens, the added ‘Visa Integrity Fee,’ coupled with existing charges, creates a significant financial hurdle. For a B-1/B-2 (Tourist/Business) Visa, the current MRV fee of $ 185, when combined with the new $ 250 Visa Integrity Fee and the increased $ 24 I-94 Fee, results in a Total Minimum Cost of $ 459. At an approximate exchange rate of Rs. 300 per US dollar, this translates to roughly Rs. 137,700, excluding any potential reciprocity fees, document preparation, translation, or courier services. 

For those seeking an F (Student) Visa, the existing MRV fee of $ 185, the SEVIS I-901 Fee of approximately $ 350, the new $ 250 Visa Integrity Fee, and the increased $24 I-94 Fee combine to an approximate Total Minimum Cost of $ 809. This equates to a substantial sum of roughly Rs. 242,700, not accounting for tuition, living expenses, or other incidental educational costs. This substantial increase could necessitate a re-evaluation of travel budgets for individuals and families planning visits, business trips, or educational pursuits in the US. 

The uncertainty surrounding the refund process for the ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ further complicates financial planning, as travellers are advised to assume this $ 250 will be a non-recoverable expense. It is stated the Secretary of Homeland Security can set the current fee higher during each subsequent fiscal year and the fee will be adjusted for inflation. Some of those who paid the Integrity fee are eligible for reimbursement only if the visa holders comply with the Immigration Department conditions. The Integrity fee has to be paid when the visa is issued.

In conclusion, the introduction of the $ 250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ marks a pivotal moment in US immigration policy, directly affecting a broad spectrum of non-immigrant travellers. This new charge, coupled with existing application fees, SEVIS fees, and increased I-94 costs, significantly raises the financial threshold for entry into the US. Prospective visitors on holiday, business, or student visas must meticulously plan their finances, apply well in advance, and remain vigilant for updates from official US Government sources. Understanding these evolving requirements is paramount to ensuring a smooth and financially prepared journey to the US.