The recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduced under the Trump administration, includes a new requirement for certain travellers to pay a $250 “visa integrity fee” when entering the United States.
According to the White House, the legislation outlines a strategy for strengthening the U.S. border, including increased funding for ICE personnel, detention facilities, and the continued construction of the border wall.
The visa integrity fee will apply to almost all nonimmigrant visa categories: tourist and business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B/H-4), and exchange visas (J).
Applicants from non-waiver countries—such as China, India, Nigeria, and Brazil—will have to pay the visa integrity fee of $250 in addition to their other required fees.
America, and South America as well as select countries in Asia and the Middle East, will also be subject to the new $250 levy.
Any visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries—such as the UK, France, Germany, Japan, and South Korea—won’t be affected.
Most Canadians will be exempt from paying the fee, although reports say permanent residents of Canada will be subject to the levy.
Canadian citizens can usually stay in the U.S. for six months without a visa, but there are some exceptions, which are listed on the U.S. Department of State website.
However, permanent residents of Canada do require a nonimmigrant visa and will have to pay the fee, reports the National Post.
The fee will also adjusted annually to keep pace with inflation, meaning it could increase each year.
As Forbes points out, its introduction comes right before major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the U.S. is co-hosting, and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, potentially causing added inconvenience.
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Geoff Freeman issued an earlier statement, calling the fee “foolish.”
“Raising fees on lawful international visitors amounts to a self-imposed tariff on one of our nation’s largest exports: international travel spending. These fees are not reinvested in improving the travel experience and do nothing but discourage visitation at a time when foreign travellers are already concerned about the welcome experience and high prices,” Freeman said.
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