Indian travelers planning a trip to the United States for tourism, study, or work should prepare for a significant increase in visa expenses from 2026. Under a new immigration reform called the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’, signed by former US President Donald Trump on July 4, a mandatory Visa Integrity Fee of $250 which is approx. Rs 21,400 will be introduced for most non-immigrant visa categories.
This new surcharge is in addition to the existing visa application fees. It is expected to raise the overall cost of obtaining a US visa for Indians by over 2.5 times for many applicants.
US Visa Integrity Fee
The Visa Integrity Fee is the non-refundable $250 fee payable at the time of visa issuance. It is charged for most categories of non-immigrant visas, such as B-1/B-2 for business and visit, F and M for student, H-1B for work, and J for exchange visitor categories. Only diplomatic visa holders under categories A and G are exempted from this fee. This fee is expected to come into force in 2026. It will be adjusted annually based on inflation metrics published by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
How Much Do US Visas Cost By 2026
At present, a US tourist visa (B-1/B-2) costs $185 (roughly ₹15,800). Once the Visa Integrity Fee is added, the revised fee structure will look like this. B-1/B-2 Visa at $185, Visa Integrity at $250 fee, and the I-94 Fee is $24. With the Visa Integrity Fee added to the current visa cost, the total estimated expense will be around $459, which is approximately Rs 40,500. . This US visa for Indians fee increase will affect Indian students, professionals, and tourists applying for visas, particularly in high-demand categories such as F and H-1B.
While this fee is non-waivable and non-reducible, it may be refunded under specific conditions. Visa holders who qualify under all visa requirements like leaving the US within five days of the visa expiration or lawfully changing their status qualify for a refund. Still, if there is a visa overstay or a breach of any of the visa conditions, there will be no refund of the fee.
New Rules Around the US Visa Integrity Fee
The US government has introduced the fee as a security measure to promote lawful behavior among foreign visitors. It serves as a form of financial deterrent against visa overstay and misuse. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will oversee this policy and will be authorized to revise the fee annually based on inflation.
Additionally, the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ also introduces a 1% excise tax on remittances, which will affect immigrants sending money to their home countries, including a large Indian diaspora in the US.
For Indian holidaymakers and visa seekers, the change means paying more and being more rigorously screened. Students arriving to attend American schools, IT workers on H-1B visas, and vacationers traveling in for an USA holiday will need to add this substantial fee increase into their budgetary planning for their travels to America during 2026 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the US Visa Integrity Fee?
It is a $250 non-refundable fee applicable to most non-immigrant US visas, introduced to ensure compliance with visa rules.
- When will the Visa Integrity Fee be implemented?
The fee will take effect in 2026 and will be adjusted annually for inflation.
- Who is exempt from the fee?
Only diplomatic visa holders under categories A and G are exempt. All other non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists and students, must pay.
- Can the Visa Integrity Fee be refunded?
Yes, but only if the visa holder fully complies with visa terms such as timely departure or lawful status changes. No refund is given if rules are violated.
- How much more will a US tourist visa cost for Indian travelers?
With the new fee, a typical tourist visa will rise from ₹15,800 to around ₹40,500, including other minor charges.
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