U.S. Introduces $250 “Visa Integrity Fee,” Further Worsening Travel Decline

The United States is introducing a new "visa integrity fee" of $250 for nonimmigrant visa applicants, such as tourists, students, and business travelers, from countries not in the Visa Waiver Program. The fee will take effect on October 1, 2025, pushing total visa costs to around $442, making it one of the highest in the world.

This decision comes as the travel industry faces challenges. International arrivals to the U.S. fell by 3.1% in July 2025 compared to the previous year, marking five months of decline in a row. Spending by foreign visitors is also expected to drop below $169 billion in 2025, down from $181 billion in 2024.

Industry experts warn that higher costs will further discourage travel. "Any friction we add to the traveler experience is going to cut travel volumes," said Gabe Rizzi, President of global travel management company Altour.

The countries most affected include Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, India, and China, all of which had seen positive growth in travel to the U.S. earlier this year. Travel from Mexico had risen nearly 14%, from Argentina 20%, and from Brazil 4.6% before the new fee was announced.

Besides the visa fee, the administration is considering other restrictive measures, such as shorter visas for students and cultural exchange visitors, and pilot programs that would require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visa applicants.