New Delhi: The ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, one of Donald Trump’s pet projects which is now law, carries some bad news for Indians. It has introduced a ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ for most non-immigrant visa categories.
That means Indians planning to visit the US for tourism, study or work purposes will face significantly higher visa charge from 2026 – as high as 2.5 times the existing rate.
For a tourist visa, which used to cost under Rs 16,000, Indians will now have to shell out Rs 40,000 because of the US Visa Integrity Fee — a new $250 (Rs 21,400) non-refundable surcharge added to existing visa costs.
It will be mandatory at the time of visa issuance, and comes into effect from next year.
The fee will be adjusted annually based on inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
Who are exempt from new visa fee?
The US Visa Integrity fee will be applicable to most non-immigrant visas, including B-1/B-2 (tourist and business visas), F and M (student visas), H-1B (work visas), and J (exchange visitor visas). Only diplomatic visa holders in categories A and G are exempted.
Hence, Indian students, tech professionals, tourists, and business travellers to the US will be impacted by the additional charge.
A US B-1/B-2 visa currently costs $185, which is Rs 15,800 at the present conversion rate. With the new fee, along with other minor charges like I-94 fee ($24) and ESTA fee ($13), total cost for visa will be about $472, or Rs 40,500.
Can This Fee Be Refunded?
Though the new fee cannot be waived or reduced, it may be refunded under certain conditions. Someone complying with all visa terms, like leaving the US within five days after visa expires or legally extending stay or changing status (for example getting a green card) could be eligible for a refund of the US Visa Integrity Fee.
The Trump administration has introduced the fee to ensure lawful conduct among foreign nationals visiting the US. In a way, it acts as a security deposit, and encourages visitors to follow visa rules.
US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which will manage this policy, has the power to revise the fee every year, based on inflation.
