US Integrity Visa Fee: Travelling to the United States is set to become more expensive for Indian applicants. Under the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by US President Donald Trump and effective from July 4, the US will impose a Visa Integrity Fee of $250 (approximately Rs 21,400) starting from FY2026.
This fee applies to most non-immigrant visa categories, including tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F and M), work (H-1B), and exchange (J) visas.
The new fee is described as a security deposit that may be refunded only if strict compliance conditions are met. It will increase annually based on inflation, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authorised to revise the rate further.
No waivers, tough refund conditions
Unlike standard visa application fees, there will be no waiver or exemption for the Visa Integrity Fee. However, a refund may be granted if the visa holder adheres to all rules — such as leaving the US within five days of visa expiry, or adjusting status to permanent residency before the I-94 expiration date.
Refund claims will require supporting documents, such as proof of departure or valid status adjustment. Failing to meet these criteria will result in the Rs 21,400 fee being forfeited to the US Treasury.
Big financial hit for Indian applicants
Currently, the cost of a US B-1/B-2 tourist or business visa is $185 (around Rs 15,855). With the addition of the Rs 21,400 Visa Integrity Fee and other charges like the $24 (Rs 2,050) I-94 data fee, the total cost may increase to about Rs 40,456, which is nearly 2.5 times the current amount.
According to immigration consultancy Fragomen, the fee is part of broader reforms that also include a Rs 1,090 ESTA charge under the Visa Waiver Program and a Rs 2,500 EVUS tax for certain Chinese citizens.
What’s next?
The US State Department is expected to release detailed refund guidelines soon. Until then, Indian travellers especially students and budget-conscious tourists may need to plan their US trips more carefully due to the rising visa costs.