If you’re planning a trip to the United States soon, prepare to spend more. Starting in 2025, the U.S. has introduced two new fees for nonimmigrant visa applicants, making the overall cost of traveling to America significantly higher. These charges come in addition to the regular visa processing fee, and apply across most visa categories.
What’s Changing for U.S. Visa Applicants?
Until now, foreign nationals only had to pay a visa processing fee, which varied depending on the type of visa (tourist, student, work, etc.). Going forward, applicants must now also pay:
- Visa Integrity Fee
- Amount: $250 (with annual increases tied to U.S. inflation via CPI).
- Introduced under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law on July 4, 2025.
- Applies to all non-immigrant visa categories.
- Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Fee
- Amount: At least $24.
- Mandatory for almost all foreigners entering the U.S., except:
- U.S. citizens
- Green Card holders (permanent residents)
- Immigrant visa holders
- Most Canadian travelers visiting or transiting through the U.S.
Both these fees must be paid together with the visa processing fee, adding considerable cost to U.S. travel.
How Much Will U.S. Visas Cost Now?
The introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee and I-94 Fee has drastically increased the total visa expense:
- Non-petition-based visas (e.g., B1/B2 for business/tourism, F-1/F-2 student visas, medical treatment visas, and transit visas)
- Current fee: $185
- New estimated cost increase: 148%
- Petition-based visas (e.g., H-1B work visas, L-1 intracompany transferees, O visas for individuals with extraordinary ability)
- Current fee: $205
- New estimated cost increase: 133%
Additionally, applicants may still face other case-specific fees, depending on their visa type and circumstances.
The Silver Lining: Visa Integrity Fee Refund
While the Visa Integrity Fee is compulsory, there is one relief: it can be reimbursed if travelers fully comply with the conditions of their visa.
✅ You may qualify for reimbursement if you:
- Do not engage in unauthorized employment in the U.S.
- Depart the country within 5 days of your permitted stay expiring.
- Correctly file and obtain a valid extension or change of status with USCIS before your I-94 admit date expires.
This rule encourages compliance with U.S. immigration laws while rewarding those who follow the system.
What This Means for Travelers
For families, students, and business professionals, the new fees could significantly impact travel budgets. For example:
- An international student applying for an F-1 visa may now need to pay hundreds more upfront, in addition to high tuition and living costs.
- Business travelers on short visits may also see their costs rise substantially, especially if traveling multiple times a year.
Final Thoughts
The new U.S. visa fee rules of 2025 mean that traveling to America is set to become far more expensive. With the Visa Integrity Fee ($250) and the Form I-94 fee ($24+), nonimmigrant visa applicants will now pay well over double what they did before.
However, by following visa conditions carefully, travelers can at least recover the Integrity Fee through reimbursement. The key takeaway?
👉 Always stay compliant with visa rules, track your I-94 Admit Until Date, and be financially prepared for higher application costs before planning your trip to the United States.
