U.S. to Impose $250 Visa Fee on Tourists and International Students | WPN World People News

In early July, U.S. President Donald Trump officially signed the **"One Big Beautiful Bill Act"**, a new law that will significantly impact various U.S. policies. In addition to affecting American citizens, the act will impose a **$250 "visa integrity fee"** on foreign nationals entering the U.S. on non-immigrant visas.

According to CNBC, starting from **fiscal year 2025**, all foreign nationals entering the U.S. on non-immigrant visas — including tourist, student, and H-1B work visas — will be required to pay this $250 fee. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to increase the fee, and it will be adjusted over time in accordance with inflation.

Under the act, the fee is **refundable in full** if the visa holder complies with visa terms, such as departing the U.S. within the permitted time. The Department of Homeland Security is tasked with collecting the fee, though the law does not specify how the fee will be collected or refunded. The **U.S. Travel Association** also told CNBC it is unclear how travelers will pay the fee, and the implementation date remains uncertain.

Observers note that aside from one-time tourist visa holders, the actual percentage of visa holders who will apply for or receive refunds may be low. As a result, the **Congressional Budget Office (CBO)** has classified this fee as a source of government revenue, projecting it will **reduce the federal deficit by $28.9 billion ** between 2025 and 2034. Given major upcoming events in 2026 — such as the **250th anniversary of U.S. independence** and the **FIFA World Cup** — it remains to be seen how this policy will impact U.S. tourism.