with-India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Starting January 1, 2026, most non-immigrant visa applicants to the United States will face a significant increase in fees with the introduction of a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” under legislation signed by President Donald Trump.

The measure, part of the recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” is aimed at boosting compliance with U.S. immigration laws and will apply broadly to temporary visa categories, including tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F and M), work visas (such as H-1B), and exchange visitor visas (J). Diplomatic and government officials holding A and G visa types will be exempt.

The fee, which will be collected by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at the time of visa issuance, will be charged on top of existing visa application costs. Beginning in 2026, the fee will also be tied to inflation, increasing annually in line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

In addition to the Visa Integrity Fee, travelers will now face other non-waivable surcharges: a $24 fee for the I-94 arrival/departure record, a $13 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) charge for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries, and a $30 Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) fee for certain Chinese nationals with 10-year B-1/B-2 visas, according to immigration services firm Fragomen.

For Indian applicants, these changes mean a steep rise in costs. A typical B-1/B-2 visa, which currently costs $185 (approximately ₹15,855), will cost roughly $472 (around ₹40,456) once all the new surcharges are included — more than double the current price.

Although framed by the administration as a refundable deposit intended to curb visa overstays, critics warn the move could deter legitimate travelers, students, and professionals, potentially undermining tourism, education exchange, and bilateral ties.