Is the American Dream Getting Pricier? What The New US Visa Fee Means For Indians

US to add a $250 Visa Integrity Fee from 2026, sharply raising visa costs for Indian tourists, students, and workers. Find out who it affects, how much it adds, and if refunds apply.

The US Visa Integrity Fee is a newly introduced non-refundable surcharge of $250 (approximately ₹21,400).

Source : X/@GaryHershorn

In a sweeping move that could significantly impact Indian visitors, students, and professionals, the United States has unveiled a new visa surcharge set to take effect in 2026. Under a bill signed by former President Donald Trump on July 4, the “Visa Integrity Fee” will add a non-refundable $250 (approximately ₹21,400) to most non-immigrant visa categories—marking a sharp rise in application costs.

Steep Hike in US Visa Costs for Indians

Indian applicants planning trips to the U.S. for tourism, education, or employment should brace for a notable spike in visa expenses. A standard B-1/B-2 tourist visa, which currently costs $185 (roughly ₹15,800), will soon cost around $472—or more than ₹40,000—after the new fee and additional surcharges are added.
This increase represents a more than 2.5-fold jump from current visa rates, potentially altering travel plans for thousands of Indians each year.

What Is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The Visa Integrity Fee is a newly mandated $250 surcharge that will be applied to the majority of non-immigrant visa categories. Key highlights include:

• Effective Date: Begins in 2026
• Non-Refundable: Paid at the time of visa issuance
• Inflation-Adjusted: Revised annually based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI)
• Administered By: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Who Will Be Affected?

This fee will apply to a broad spectrum of visa types, including:

• Tourist and Business Visas (B-1/B-2)
• Student Visas (F and M)
• Work Visas (H-1B)
• Exchange Visitor Visas (J)

Diplomatic and official visa holders in categories A and G are the only groups exempt from the surcharge. For Indian nationals, this means students headed to U.S. universities, IT professionals on work assignments, and families planning leisure trips will all be subject to this additional financial burden.

Breaking Down the New Visa Costs

As of now, a typical tourist or business visa to the U.S. costs $185. Add the new Visa Integrity Fee, plus minor charges like the I-94 fee ($24) and ESTA fee ($13), and the total jumps to approximately $472—or around ₹40,500 at current exchange rates.

The impact will be even more pronounced for student and work visa applicants, many of whom already shoulder high processing and documentation expenses.

Can You Get a Refund?

While the Visa Integrity Fee is non-refundable in most cases, there is a narrow path to reclaim it:

• Eligibility for Refund: If the visa holder strictly complies with all visa conditions—such as exiting the U.S. within five days of expiration or legally extending/changing their immigration status (e.g., acquiring a green card)—they may qualify for a refund.
• Ineligible Cases: Those who overstay or violate visa terms forfeit any chance of reimbursement.

Why This Fee? A Push for Stricter Compliance

The U.S. government frames this new fee as a security-driven initiative. The aim? To encourage lawful behavior among foreign visitors by creating a financial incentive to follow visa rules.
Officials describe it as a form of “security deposit” that promotes compliance and reduces instances of overstaying. DHS will oversee its implementation and can revise the amount annually based on inflation metrics.

More Than Just a Visa Fee: Other Key Changes

The Visa Integrity Fee is just one element of the expansive 900-page immigration legislation dubbed the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Another major provision includes a 1% excise tax on remittances, potentially increasing the cost for immigrants sending money back home—a move that will likely impact many Indian-origin families in the U.S.

What’s Next?

As 2026 approaches, Indian travelers and visa applicants may need to budget more carefully and stay informed on further policy shifts. With the cost of entering and staying in the U.S. poised to rise, this legislation marks a turning point in America’s approach to immigration and foreign travel.