New U.S. Visa Integrity Fee: What You Need to Know Before Applying in 2025

New U.S. Visa Integrity Fee: What You Need to Know Before Applying in 2025

If you're planning to visit, study, or work in the United States, there's a new fee you'll need to budget for. Starting in fiscal year 2025, most nonimmigrant visa applicants will be required to pay a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” — on top of the existing government fees.

This new cost may feel like just another hurdle, but understanding it now can help you plan smarter and avoid surprises during your visa process.

What is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The Visa Integrity Fee is part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), passed on July 4, 2025. According to U.S. authorities, the goal is to enhance visa compliance and ensure temporary visitors respect the conditions of their stay.

In practice, this means nearly all applicants for nonimmigrant visas — including F‑1 (students), B‑1/B‑2 (tourists and business visitors), H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1, and E‑2 (workers and investors) — will need to pay an additional $250 fee before their visa can be issued.

Who Has to Pay?

If you're applying for a temporary visa, chances are you'll be required to pay this fee. It applies broadly and cannot be waived or reduced. That includes:

  • Students and exchange visitors
  • Tourists and short-term business travelers
  • Foreign workers in specialty occupations (H‑1B, L‑1, O‑1)
  • Entrepreneurs and treaty investors (E‑2)

Even if you're already paying USCIS petition fees and DS‑160 visa application fees, this Visa Integrity Fee is a separate and mandatory payment.

Can You Get It Back?

Technically, yes — but only if you fully comply with your visa conditions. A refund may be issued if:

  • You leave the U.S. no later than 5 days after your authorized stay ends
  • You don’t overstay or violate your visa terms
  • You don’t work illegally while in the U.S.
  • You eventually adjust status to lawful permanent resident (green card)

However, there’s no automatic refund process, and you’ll need to request it. In reality, most applicants will not see this money returned.

Why This Matters — Especially for Brazilian Applicants

For many visa applicants, the process is already expensive. This new fee adds even more financial pressure:

  • A family of four applying for B‑1/B‑2 visas will now pay an extra $1,000 just in Integrity Fees
  • Companies sponsoring international employees will need to factor in this cost or decide whether it’s passed along to the applicant

The fee is also expected to increase annually, tied to inflation adjustments. So, applicants in 2026 or beyond may pay even more.

What Should You Do?

1. Plan ahead: Factor this fee into your 2025 budget for visa applications.
2. Communicate clearly: If you're applying through an employer, clarify who will pay the fee.
3. Follow the rules: If you want to qualify for a refund later, be sure to comply fully with your visa terms.

How VisaLex Can Help

At VisaLex, we help individuals and families apply for U.S. visas with accuracy, speed, and peace of mind. With bilingual support, smart technology, and personalized legal guidance, we make your journey smoother from start to finish.

We offer:

  • Help choosing the right visa type
  • Full application review and document preparation
  • Interview coaching and RFE (Request for Evidence) support
  • Real-time updates on new rules like the Integrity Fee

We know how frustrating unexpected costs can be — and we're here to help you avoid delays, errors, and rejections that can cost even more.

Is This Relevant to You?

Absolutely — if you’re:

  • A student preparing for F‑1 or J‑1
  • A tourist or business visitor on B‑1/B‑2
  • A skilled worker applying for H‑1B, O‑1, or L‑1
  • An entrepreneur or investor filing for E‑2 or EB visas
  • A company sponsoring talent from abroad

This new fee affects almost everyone applying for a U.S. visa.

Final Thoughts

The $250 Visa Integrity Fee is here to stay, and while it may be refundable in rare cases, most applicants should consider it a fixed cost. By understanding this requirement now, you can prepare confidently and avoid unpleasant surprises in 2025 and beyond.

Ready to Apply with Confidence?

Let VisaLex be your trusted partner in the U.S. immigration process. We’ll help you every step of the way — and make sure you're not caught off guard by policy changes like this one.

Contact us today:

📞 +1 844 847 2539
🌐 www.visalex.com

We speak your language. We simplify the process. We get results.
Let’s build your American dream — together.