New $250 US Visa Integrity Fee Hikes Indian Visitor Visa Costs to ₹40,000
Visiting the United States just became significantly more expensive for Indian travellers. Starting October 1, 2025, a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee took effect, elevating the total cost of US visitor visas for Indians to approximately $442 — nearly ₹40,000 — making it one of the costliest visitor visas globally. This fresh surcharge applies across various non-immigrant visa categories including tourist, business, student, and work visas, adding a substantial financial burden on travellers.
The Visa Integrity Fee: What Is It and Why Now?
The Visa Integrity Fee was instituted under the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed into law in July 2025 in an effort to strengthen the US visa process. The $250 supplementary charge aims to fund enhanced vetting procedures and integrity checks, ensuring a more secure and reliable visa issuance system.
Previously, Indian applicants paid a base visa application fee of about $185 for visitor visas, but the new fee more than doubles the cost. The visa fee hike affects non-immigrant categories like B-1/B-2 visitor, F/M student, J exchange visitor, and H-1B work visas. Countries not covered by the US Visa Waiver Program, including India, Brazil, China, and Argentina, see the impact of this added charge.
Refund Process and Complexities
The $250 Integrity Fee can be refunded, but only in limited scenarios—for instance, if an applicant departs the US within five days of their visa expiry without applying for an extension or status change. For long-term visa holders such as students and professionals, the refund process is expected to be cumbersome and slow, involving detailed administrative checks before any money is returned.
Economic Impact and Travel Concerns
The Congressional Budget Office projects that this fee could generate approximately $2.7 billion annually. However, US tourism experts warn that the fee risks deterring travel, noting a potential 5.4% reduction in visitors from countries paying the fee. This reduction amounts to nearly a million fewer trips per year, which could translate into a $29 billion blow to tourism spending. The ripple effect may impact jobs and tax revenues tied to a thriving tourism sector.
Indian Visa Costs for American Travellers
In comparison, American citizens travelling to India face much lower visa costs. A typical Indian tourist visa valid for up to one year costs Americans $100. For longer durations, a five-year visa costs around $200. Business visas for Americans range from $120 for one year to $250 for five years. These fees are notably less than the US charges Indian applicants.
How US Visa Costs Compare to Other Major Destinations
The recent fee hike means the US now charges the highest visitor visa fees for Indians among popular global travel destinations. Australian visitor visas typically cost around $109, European Schengen visas about $85, Japanese tourist visas approximately $30, and Canadian visitor visas close to $100. UK tourist visa fees hover near $145 but vary for long-term business categories.
Thus, when it comes to tourist or short-term visitor visas, the United States sits firmly at the top of the price scale for Indian travellers.
Conclusion: The New Reality for Indian Travellers
The implementation of the $250 Visa Integrity Fee marks a pivotal change in visa costs for Indians heading to the US. While it aims to enhance security, the added financial burden comes with concerns about its impact on travel volumes and bilateral exchanges. Compared to Indian visa fees for Americans and traveler visa costs for other nations, the US visa fees now represent one of the highest in the world for Indian visitors. This change takes effect from 1 October 2025 and will shape the travel landscape for years to come.
For those planning travel to the US, factoring in this additional cost is essential. Despite potential refunds in limited circumstances, the immediate effect is a sharp increase in visa expenses, prompting travellers to reconsider their plans or seek alternatives.
