KUALA LUMPUR – A new “visa integrity fee” will soon be implemented for international visitors to the United States, requiring all nonimmigrant visa applicants to pay an additional $250 (RM1,062.50).
This fee, outlined in recent domestic policy legislation signed into law by President Donald Trump, will apply to a broad range of travellers, including tourists, business people, and international students, CNN reported.
The bill does not specify when the fee will go into effect, and the Department of Homeland Security has yet to clarify the implementation timeline. However, the fee is expected to be adjusted annually for inflation starting in October.
In fiscal year 2024, the US issued nearly 11 million nonimmigrant visas, according to the State Department.
Travellers from countries in the Visa Waiver Program, such as Australia and many European nations, will not be affected by this fee for short visits of up to 90 days. However, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fee for these travellers will rise significantly, from $21 (RM89.25) to at least $40 (RM170), as stipulated in the bill.
The visa integrity fee will be required at the time of visa issuance, with no exceptions or waivers. While the law includes provisions for a refund for those who comply with their visa conditions, details of the refund process are still unclear.
Immigration lawyer Steven A. Brown, based in Houston, called the fee a “refundable security deposit” but noted that the procedure for obtaining a refund remains uncertain.
“Generally, immigration fees are to cover the expense of adjudication or issuance,” Brown was quoted as saying
“But this reimbursement provision could mean refunding all of the fees gained, which suggests an ideal scenario with no overstays or visa violations.”
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is responsible for implementing the fee, has yet to clarify the refund mechanism or offer further details about the policy’s rollout. A DHS spokesperson explained that “the visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation.”
The primary purpose of the fee, according to the US State Department, is to support the administration’s priorities of strengthening immigration enforcement, deterring visa overstays, and funding border security. Unused fees will be directed into the general fund of the US Treasury.
While the new fee applies to nonimmigrant visa applicants, it will not affect visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries, though they will face the increased ESTA charge.
The US Travel Association, which advocates for the travel industry, has criticised the new charge, describing it as an unnecessary financial burden on international visitors. Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations for the association, called it “a giant leap backwards,” citing the 144% increase in costs for visiting the US.
The new fee is set to be adjusted annually for inflation. It is expected to generate significant revenue, with the Congressional Budget Office estimating it could raise $28.9 billion (RM123.325 billion) through fiscal year 2034. – July 28, 2025