Overview

• The new fee applies to travelers who require non‑immigrant visas, excluding nationals from Visa Waiver Program countries.
• Countries affected include India, Mexico, Brazil, China and Argentina, with Indian applicants facing an added charge of about ₹22,000.
• The surcharge lifts the total visa cost to roughly $442–$444, which the U.S. Travel Association says ranks among the highest visitor fees globally.
• Overseas arrivals to the United States fell 3.1% year over year in July to 19.2 million, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline, according to U.S. government data.
• Travel executives, including Altour’s Gabe Rizzi, caution that added friction will reduce trip volumes, and WTTC projects international visitor spending to drop below $169 billion in 2025 from $181 billion in 2024.