New $250 Visa Integrity Fee Hits Foreign Tourists Entering U.S.

Starting October 1, 2025, foreign tourists entering the United States on a visa will incur a new mandatory fee of $250, termed the Visa Integrity Fee. This fee will be added to existing charges, raising the total cost of a visa for travelers from non-visa waiver countries to over $400, according to the U.S. Travel Association.

The introduction of this fee is part of the government"s efforts to combat what officials describe as "abuses of the visa regime." The fee aims to strengthen the integrity of the visa application process, ensuring that only legitimate travelers gain entry into the country.

This move comes amid ongoing discussions about immigration policies and their implications for foreign visitors. As previously reported, various measures have been implemented in recent years to tighten entry requirements and enhance national security.

The U.S. State Department has indicated that the additional charges will be utilized to bolster resources dedicated to visa processing and enforcement. Travelers planning to visit the U.S. should prepare for these increased costs as they finalize their travel plans for the upcoming months.