As of September 30, the U.S. has raised visa fees across multiple categories, making visits to America more expensive for most international travelers. The changes, passed earlier in the year, include higher charges for land-entry travelers, participants in the Visa Waiver Program, and Chinese nationals using the Electronic Visa Update System.
One significant change is to Form I-94, which governs land border entries: its fee jumped from $6 to $30. For travelers from countries eligible for visa-free entry under the Visa Waiver Program, the ESTA authorization fee has nearly doubled, rising from $21 to $40. Meanwhile, the fee for Chinese citizens using the Electronic Visa Update System was raised to $30.
In addition to these increases, there is a planned new charge dubbed the “visa integrity fee” of $250, which will apply to many nonimmigrant visa holders. This fee must be paid on top of existing visa and processing fees. Some who comply fully with visa rules—such as leaving on time or renewing status correctly—may be eligible for reimbursement of this charge, though strict conditions apply.
Not everyone will have to pay the extra fee. Travelers from countries in the Visa Waiver Program, as well as many Canadians and Bermudians who do not require visas, are exempt. However, those needing special visas—such as students (F-1, J-1), work visas (H-1B, H-4), or other entry categories—will likely face the added burden.
Industry experts warn that these fee hikes could discourage tourism, especially with major international events like the 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics on the horizon. Critics argue that while the fees generate revenue, they could deter visitors at a time when global travel is already sensitive to cost and perception.
Implementation details for the $250 integrity fee remain under discussion, including which agency will collect it and how refunds will be processed. Meanwhile, travelers planning U.S. visits now must budget for higher visa costs and stay alert to further updates.
