How visa fees work
US visa integrity fee: amount, status and refund rules
A 4 July 2025 law created a visa integrity fee for each person issued a US nonimmigrant visa. The starting amount was at least US$250, with annual inflation adjustments Source 1. DHS said on 22 July 2025 that collection needed cross-agency work and would begin through a future publication Source 2. No collection notice appeared on the State Department fee page on 19 October 2026 Source 3. Do not pay it until official application instructions require it.
- Created
- 4 July 2025 Source 1
- Initial amount
- At least US$250 for fiscal year 2025 Source 1
- Who pays
- A person issued a nonimmigrant visa Source 1
- Payment point
- At visa issuance Source 1
- Waiver
- The law bars waiver or reduction Source 1
- Collection status checked
- Not listed by the State Department on 19 October 2026 Source 3
What the law created
Section 100007 of Public Law 119-21 created the visa integrity fee on 4 July 2025. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require payment from a person who is issued a nonimmigrant visa, in addition to other lawful fees Source 1.
The law set the fiscal year 2025 amount at the greater of US$250 or another amount set by rule. For fiscal year 2026 and later years, it provides an annual inflation formula based on the July consumer price index, rounded down to the nearest dollar Source 1.
The charge is tied to issuance, not the filing of an application. A person whose application is refused before a visa is issued does not meet the statutory payment trigger. The law states that the fee may not be waived or reduced Source 1.
Is the fee being collected?
DHS published an implementation notice on 22 July 2025 for several fees in the same law. That notice did not start the visa integrity fee. It said cross-agency coordination was needed and that the fee would be implemented in a future publication Source 2.
On 19 October 2026 the State Department's official visa fee schedule listed the normal nonimmigrant application charges and reciprocity fees but did not list a visa integrity fee. The B, F, J and other non-petition application fee remained US$185 Source 3.
The practical rule is to follow the official payment instructions from the State Department, DHS and the embassy or consulate handling the case. A request from an unrelated payment site is not an official implementation notice Source 2,Source 3.
Who is covered
The statutory wording covers a person issued a nonimmigrant visa. That broad group includes visitors, students and many temporary workers. Visa Waiver Program travellers using ESTA are not issued a nonimmigrant visa, so the fee provision does not describe them Source 1,Source 4.
The law does not make nationality the trigger. Nationality may still affect a separate reciprocity fee shown in the State Department's country tables Source 3.
Refund conditions in the law
The statute provides for reimbursement after the visa expires if the person meets its conditions. The person must comply with the visa terms, must not accept unauthorized employment and must leave the United States no later than five days after the authorized stay ends. A person who receives an extension or adjustment to permanent resident status can meet the departure condition through those routes Source 1.
The law says a person who does not submit proof of eligibility within the period and in the manner set by DHS does not receive reimbursement. DHS must publish the process before applicants can know what proof, deadline and payment method apply Source 1,Source 2.
This repayment clause is not a refund of the US$185 visa application fee. The State Department describes that processing fee as non-refundable Source 3.
What to check before paying
- Check the State Department fee schedule for the visa category Source 3.
- Check the embassy or consulate instructions reached from the State Department site Source 3.
- Look for a dated DHS or Federal Register implementation notice Source 2.
- Keep the visa, I-94 record and proof of departure if collection and reimbursement begin Source 1.
Common questions
Is the visa integrity fee the same as the US$185 visa fee?
No. The law says it is in addition to other fees. The US$185 charge is the application processing fee Source 1,Source 3.
Do I pay the integrity fee if my visa is refused?
The law places the payment at visa issuance. A refusal before issuance does not meet that trigger Source 1.
Can the fee be waived?
No. Public Law 119-21 says the fee may not be waived or reduced Source 1.
Is the fee refundable?
The law provides reimbursement after expiry for a person who meets the compliance and departure conditions and submits proof under the DHS process Source 1.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- U.S. Government Publishing Office: Public Law 119-21, section 100007 (4 July 2025)
- Federal Register: USCIS Immigration Fees Required by HR-1 Reconciliation Bill (22 July 2025)
- U.S. Department of State: Fees for Visa Services (accessed 19 October 2026)
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Visa Waiver Program (accessed 19 October 2026)