International
oi-Ruchika Pareek
Indian
nationals
planning
to
travel
to
the
United
States
for
tourism,
education,
or
work
will
face
a
steep
increase
in
visa
fees
beginning
in
2026.
The
hike
comes
under
the
newly
passed
‘One
Big
Beautiful
Bill
Act’,
signed
into
law
by
U.S.
President
Donald
Trump
on
July
4,
2025,
which
introduces
a
set
of
mandatory
charges
for
most
non-immigrant
visa
applicants.
What’s
Changing?
1.
$250
“Visa
Integrity
Fee” Introduced
Amount:
$250
(approximately
₹21,400)
Who
Pays:
All
non-immigrant
visa
applicants-including
those
applying
for
tourist
(B-1/B-2),
student
(F/M),
work
(H-1B),
and
exchange
visitor
(J)
visas
Who
Is
Exempt:
Only
applicants
for
diplomatic
visas
(categories
A
and
G)
Effective
From:
All
new
visa
applications
filed
starting
in
2026
This
fee
will
be
non-waivable,
adjusted
annually
for
inflation,
and
is
intended
as
a
form
of
security
deposit.
It
may
be
refundable
if
the
visa
holder
departs
the
US
within
five
days
of
visa
expiry
without
overstaying
or
changing
status.
However,
refunds
for
students
and
professionals
may
take
years
to
process.
2.
Additional
Mandatory
Fees
Form
I-94
Arrival/Departure
Record
Fee:
$24
(approx.
₹2,060)
ESTA
Fee:
$13
(approx.
₹1,120)
–
applicable
for
travelers
from
Visa
Waiver
Program
countries
These
charges
come
on
top
of
the
existing
visa
application
fee,
which
remains
at
$185
(approx.
₹15,900).
Total
Cost
Breakdown
for
a
Standard
Tourist/Student
Visa:
Current
Total
(2025):
Around
₹16,000
New
Estimated
Total
(2026
Onward):
Up
to
₹40,000
(Depending
on
category
and
exchange
rates)
This
steep
rise
in
visa
fees
is
expected
to
heavily
impact
Indian
tourists,
international
students,
and
professionals,
increasing
the
cost
burden
by
more
than
2.5
times
in
some
cases.
The
move
is
part
of
the
Trump
administration’s
broader
push
to
enhance
visa
accountability
and
national
security
through
financial
oversight.
