A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed into law July 4, 2025) is now being collected at U.S. consulates worldwide, adding a significant new cost for most people seeking a nonimmigrant visa. The fee took legal effect at the start of fiscal year 2026 (October 1, 2025), but implementation has been uneven — some embassies are actively charging it while others are still bringing payment and tracking systems online through 2026.
The fee applies broadly across nonimmigrant categories, including H-1B, L-1 and O-1 temporary workers, F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and B-1/B-2 business and tourist travelers. It is charged only when a physical visa is issued by a U.S. consulate abroad — it does not apply to change-of-status or extension applications adjudicated by USCIS inside the United States. Critically, the $250 is charged on top of existing costs such as the standard visa application (MRV) fee, so the total price of obtaining a U.S. visa is rising.
The fee cannot be waived or reduced, and the law allows it to increase annually with inflation. In theory the fee is refundable: travelers who comply with all the terms of their visa and depart on time may be able to request reimbursement after the visa expires. However, DHS has not yet published any process for claiming a refund, so applicants should budget for the fee as a non-recoverable cost for now.
There are two important exemptions. Travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) do not pay it, and — significantly for green-card seekers — immigrant visa applicants are exempt. That means the fee does not touch consular processing of an approved EB-2, NIW or family-based immigrant petition, though it does affect the nonimmigrant visas (like H-1B or F-1) that many applicants hold while their green-card case is pending.
For employers and foreign nationals, the practical takeaway is to confirm current fee requirements with the specific consulate before an appointment, since collection procedures still vary by post. Anyone renewing an H-1B, F-1 or J-1 visa stamp abroad in 2026 should expect to pay the additional $250.
Need help with your immigration petition? Visit QuickFiling.us for AI-guided NIW and EB-1A petition preparation.
Source: NAFSA