Overview

• As of July 14, Mexico’s U.S. Embassy stopped accepting Banamex for MRV payments and now requires cash at Scotiabank or BanBajío or SPEI transfers.
• President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, adding the $250 Visa Integrity Fee to the existing $185 application charge for B1/B2 visas.
• The refundable fee applies across tourist, business, student and work visa categories while diplomats and Visa Waiver Program nationals remain exempt.
• U.S. agencies are completing regulations to launch the integrity fee at the start of fiscal year 2026 with annual adjustments based on inflation.
• Visa‐processing firms report a roughly 50% jump in appointment bookings as travelers rush to secure visas before the higher fee takes effect.