The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) signed on July 4, 2025, introduces several new visa and travel-related fees, including a non-waivable Visa Integrity Fee for all non-immigrant visas, and increases to existing entry-related costs. These changes will affect most foreign travelers seeking to apply for a U.S. non-immigrant visa and/or applying to enter the U.S., except U.S. lawful permanent residents (green card holders).
Key Fee Changes for Non-Immigrant Visa Holders
| Fee Type | Amount | Waiver Available? | Notes |
| Visa Integrity Fee | $250 | No | Applies to every non-immigrant visa application, e.g. B1/BY, E, L, H, O. May be eligible for reimbursement in some cases. |
| I-94 Arrival/Departure Fee | $24 | No | Charged at entry for non-immigrants needing Form I-94. |
| ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | $40 | No | For citizens of VWP countries applying via ESTA. |
| EVUS (Chinese B-1/B-2 Visas) | $30 | No | Applies to Chinese nationals with 10-year B-1/B-2 visas. |
Annual Adjustments
- Most fees (excluding ESTA) will be adjusted annually for inflation, beginning in FY 2026.
- Note: DHS has the authority to increase these fees further by regulation.
Non-Immigrant Visa Integrity Fee Reimbursement Criteria
The $250 fee may be reimbursed, after the visa expires, if the following conditions are met:
- The Visa Holder must have been admitted to the U.S. using the visa;
- The Visa Holder fully complied with the terms and conditions of the visa, including not having engaged in unauthorized employment; and
- The Visa Holder departed the U.S. within 5 days of their I-94 (period of authorized stay) end date; and
- Did not apply for an I-94 extension; or
- Received a timely extension of their non-immigrant visa, or adjusted status to that of a lawful permanent resident.
Implementation Timeline & Issues
These new fees are expected to go into effect at the start of FY 2026 (October 1, 2025). At the time of this writing, DHS has not yet published information in the Federal Register explaining the Department of State’s process for collecting new fees.
Next Steps for Employers & Travelers
- Budget for increased visa-related costs starting late 2025 or early FY 2026.
- Plan ahead to avoid surprises related to I-94 or EVUS fees.
- All foreign nationals should check their online I-94 record on the CBP website after each and every admission into the U.S., immediately report errors, and save a copy of their I-94 record, which can be downloaded for free from the CBP website.
