US Introduces $250 Visa Integrity Fee for Students, Workers, and Other Non-Immigrant Visa Holders
Enet
Starting in fiscal year 2025, the United States will impose a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee on most non-immigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2 (business/tourist), F and M (students), H-1B (skilled workers), and J (exchange visitors). This fee is in addition to existing visa application costs and will not apply to diplomatic or international organization visas (A and G categories).
For example, the B-1/B-2 visa, currently priced at $185 (approximately N292,000), will now cost around $435 (about N686,000) with the new fee. The US government states that the fee aims to promote compliance and deter visa overstays by incentivizing adherence to visa terms.
Applicants who fully comply with visa conditions, such as leaving the US within five days of their authorized stay, may be eligible for a refund, though waivers, discounts, or exemptions are generally unavailable. From 2026, the fee will increase annually based on inflation, as determined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
The fee has sparked concerns among frequent travelers, international students, and employers dependent on foreign workers, especially in countries with high US visa application rates. Prospective applicants are advised to account for the increased costs when planning travel, study, or work in the US.
Refunds are not automatic and require documented proof of compliance, including evidence of timely departure from the US.
