US Visa Integrity Fee $250: Full Cost Breakdown for Tourist, Student and Work Visas

You budgeted for your US visa fee, but now there is talk of another 250 dollars. What is it, who pays, and how much will your visa really cost?

The Visa Integrity Fee was created by a US law signed on 4 July 2025. It adds at least 250 dollars to most nonimmigrant visas and is paid when the visa is issued. As of October 2026, some US embassies and consulates were collecting it, while others were still waiting for payment systems.

Short on time? Here is the quick answer.

Full Cost by Visa Type

Totals exclude any reciprocity fee that applies to your nationality. Each family member pays separately.

Family Example

Who Does Not Pay

• Visa Waiver Program travellers using ESTA.
• Immigrant visa and green card applicants.
• People changing or extending status inside the US without a new visa stamp.

The Refund Question

The law says the fee can be refunded after the visa expires if the holder followed all conditions, for example leaving on time or getting a lawful extension. But as of October 2026, no claims process had been launched. Treat the fee as a cost and keep proof of your travel and status.

What to Do

1. Check your embassy's instructions before your interview.
2. Budget for the fee even if your post is not yet charging it.
3. Keep receipts and travel records for any future refund.

Why Collection Is Uneven

The fee was written into US law in July 2025, but a law needs a working payment system before it can be collected everywhere. In 2026, some US embassies and consulates began collecting it, while others were still waiting. Universities and other groups reported this mixed picture as late as October 2026.

This means two people applying for the same visa in different countries may have a different experience. The safest approach is to budget for the fee in every case. If your post does not collect it, you have simply saved the money. If it does, you are ready.

The amount can also rise with inflation in later years, so check the official fee page close to your interview date.

Words You Will See

New to these terms? Here is what they mean in plain English.

Before You Rely on Any Figure

Fees above reflect State Department and other official information as of October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

Expect to pay 250 dollars on top of your normal US visa fee, at issuance. Collection is uneven, refunds are not working yet, and visa waiver travellers are exempt. Budget for it and keep your records.

Key takeaways

• The Visa Integrity Fee is 250 dollars per person for most nonimmigrant visas.
• It is paid at visa issuance, after approval, and some posts are already collecting it.
• Visa Waiver Program travellers and immigrant visa applicants do not pay it.
• A refund process exists in law, but it has not been launched.