New U.S. Visa Fee Coming Soon: What’s Changing

Understand how the new fee will impact tourism, student, and temporary work visas in the U.S.

If you’re planning to travel to the United States for tourism, study, exchange programs, or temporary work, take note: a new mandatory fee will soon be part of the visa application process. It’s called the Visa Integrity Fee, approved by the U.S. government in July 2025, and expected to take effect at the start of the U.S. fiscal year (October 1, 2025).

This new fee, which will be added to existing visa-related fees, aims to strengthen immigration security and fund monitoring mechanisms for temporary visitors. The change will particularly affect Brazilian nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas.

In this article, you’ll learn:

What the Visa Integrity Fee is
Which visa types are affected
How the fee will be paid
Who qualifies for a refund
When the new rule goes into effect

What is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The Visa Integrity Fee is a US$250 charge that will apply to applicants for temporary (nonimmigrant) U.S. visas. It will not replace any existing fees, such as the MRV (Machine Readable Visa) fee or the SEVIS fee (for students), but will be an additional cost charged only after the visa is approved.

Visa types affected:

Tourism and business (B1/B2)
Students (F1, M1)
Exchange visitors (J1 – au pair, trainee, intern)
Temporary workers (H-1B, L-1, O, and others)

This measure is part of a broader set of stricter immigration policies aimed at ensuring that temporary visitors comply with the conditions of their stay in the United States.

Who is required to pay the fee?

The new fee will be mandatory for all foreign nationals applying for nonimmigrant visas.

Exemptions include:

Diplomatic visa holders (Category A)
Officials of international organizations with G visas
Travelers using ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program

💡 Brazilians who are dual citizens of countries like Portugal or Italy and travel using ESTA will not be required to pay the new fee.

How will the fee be paid?

The Visa Integrity Fee will only be charged after the visa is approved. That means:

You don’t pay the fee when scheduling your interview or submitting documents
The amount will be charged at the time of visa issuance, after consular approval
There are no exemptions based on age, income, or travel purpose

⚠️ This means the total cost of obtaining a U.S. visa will increase, especially for students and temporary workers who already face other mandatory fees.

Is a refund possible?

Yes, but under certain conditions. The legislation allows for a refund of the Visa Integrity Fee only if the visitor:

Fully complies with the authorized length of stay
Does not violate any visa conditions (e.g., unauthorized work)
Returns to their home country on time OR legally changes status before the visa expires

✅ If all immigration conditions are met, the applicant can formally request a refund by submitting the required supporting documents.

❌ However, those who overstay, violate visa conditions, or work illegally will forfeit the right to a refund. The fee will then be retained by the U.S. Treasury.

When will the Visa Integrity Fee go into effect?

Although the fee was approved in July 2025, it still depends on regulatory implementation. It is expected to become effective on October 1, 2025 (the beginning of the U.S. fiscal year) and will be adjusted annually for inflation.

The U.S. Embassy and Consulates will announce the specific start date for each country. Therefore, it’s essential to monitor official U.S. immigration channels.

How much will a visa cost with the new fee?

Here’s an estimate of the new total cost including the Visa Integrity Fee:

Visa Type	Consular Fee (in BRL)	Visa Integrity Fee (USD)	Approx. Total (in BRL)*
Tourism / Business (B1/B2)	R$ 1,036.00	US$ 250.00	R$ 2,300.00
Student (F1)	R$ 1,036.00	US$ 250.00 + SEVIS	R$ 2,600.00+
Exchange (J1)	R$ 1,036.00	US$ 250.00 + SEVIS	R$ 2,600.00+
Work (H-1B, L-1)	R$ 1,148.00	US$ 250.00	R$ 2,400.00+

Planning to apply for a U.S. visa? Plan ahead.

The Visa Integrity Fee adds another layer of cost and complexity for those looking to travel temporarily to the U.S. To avoid surprises and losses, it’s important to:

✔️ Follow updates from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates
✔️ Seek professional guidance throughout the process
✔️ Include the new fee in your financial travel planning

Count on Drummond Advisors to guide your legal entry into the U.S.

Drummond Advisors offers comprehensive support in U.S. immigration and visa services. With an experienced team in consular procedures and an international structure, we help you make informed and secure decisions.

Speak with one of our specialists via the available chat or email info@drummondadvisors.com and learn how we can support your visa process.

Written by Marcos Ferreira, Content Analyst at Drummond Advisors and Chris Costa, Senior Immigration Lawyer at Drummond Advisors