Overview

• Congress formalized the $250 visa integrity fee on July 4 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• The fee applies to all nonimmigrant visa categories at issuance, covering tourists, business travelers, students and temporary workers.
• Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries still enter for stays of 90 days or less without incurring the fee.
• The Department of Homeland Security has authority to raise the fee above $250 and index it for inflation beginning in fiscal year 2026.
• Travel industry groups warn the new charge functions as a self-imposed tariff that could undermine U.S. tourism revenue during upcoming global events.