Overview
- Starting October 1, 2025, a $250 Visa Integrity Fee will be added to nonimmigrant applications, bringing B1/B2 totals to about $435.
- The new charge applies to first-time filings and renewals, ending the lower-cost renewal expectation for many travelers.
- Interview-waiver flexibilities were curtailed on September 2, with most applicants—including many minors and seniors—now required to appear in person.
- U.S. consulates in Mexico report lengthy appointment backlogs, with estimated waits ranging from roughly 192 to 409 days in major cities.
- Related costs also rise: ESTA increases to $40 on September 30, 2025, and the land-border I-94 fee goes from $6 to $30.