Overview

• The One Big Beautiful Bill Act mandates a non-waivable $250 Integrity Fee on all tourist, student, work and exchange visas starting January 1, 2026
• Refunds will be granted only if holders depart within five days of visa expiry and avoid any status violations, with no waivers offered for overstays or unauthorized employment
• Consultancies report at least a 20% spike in inquiries from Indian applicants rushing to complete interviews before the deadline and predict a potential slump in demand after the fee takes effect
• For Indian applicants, the surcharge more than doubles B-1/B-2 visa costs from roughly ₹16,000 to about ₹37,500 and combined with additional DHS I-94 and ESTA charges pushes total expenses near $472
• US universities and tech firms warn higher fees and compliance penalties could dampen Indian student enrollment and skilled-worker mobility in 2026 and beyond