Increased travel costs for U.S.: Trump administration implements "visa restriction"

Increased travel costs for U.S.: Trump administration implements "visa restriction"

The economic and financial news channel CNBC has reported a significant development in U.S. immigration policy. The U.S. government has introduced a new fee, dubbed the "Visa Integrity Fee," which will be added to existing visa fees for travelers.

The new fee aims to strengthen the integrity of the U.S. visa system and is part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" passed under the Trump administration. The "Visa Integrity Fee" applies to all USA visitors requiring a non-immigrant visa, including tourists, business travelers, and international students.

For an H-1B visa for skilled workers, the total fee will now be $455. The fee for Form I-94, which is required for most non-immigrant visa holders, has also increased to $24. However, the specifics of the fee for the Visa Bond, a term used in some reports, are yet to be clarified.

The U.S. Travel Association, a leading voice for the travel and tourism industry in the United States, has criticized the new fees. Geoff Freeman, president of the U.S. Travel Association, stated that these fees hinder efforts to promote tourism and harm the USA's competitiveness as a travel destination.

The new fees could negatively impact visitor numbers and reduce the attractiveness of the USA as a travel destination. This concern is particularly relevant given the upcoming major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with several games taking place in the country.

For German travelers, the specifics of the new Visa Integrity Fee are as follows: The fee is $250 added on top of the existing visa application fees for most non-immigrant visas such as tourist (B-1/B-2), student (F/M), work (H-1B/H-4), and exchange (J) visas. This fee takes effect likely from October 1, 2025.

Travelers can get a refund of the fee after completing their trip, provided they comply with the conditions of their visa. Since Germany is part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), travelers from Germany who stay for 90 days or less are exempt from this visa integrity fee. This exemption also applies to other VWP countries such as the UK, France, Japan, and South Korea. Most travelers from Canada and Bermuda are also exempt.

The exact payment method and collection process are still being finalized as it requires coordination among U.S. agencies. The fee will be charged when the visa is issued.

It's important to note that U.S. immigration lawyer Steven A. Brown advises that the $250 paid as part of the visa application should be considered lost, as a refund would be a "bonus" that one couldn't rely on.

The U.S. Travel Association advocates for the promotion of travel within the country and from abroad, highlighting the industry's economic significance, and influencing political measures that support tourism. The refund and implementation timeline of the Visa Integrity Fee is unclear at this time.

This information is current as of late July 2025 and may be updated as the implementation details are finalized.

[1] CNBC, "U.S. to charge new visa fee to strengthen integrity of system," July 2025, https://www.cnbc.com/2025/07/xx/us-to-charge-new-visa-fee-to-strengthen-integrity-of-system.html [2] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, "Visa Integrity Fee," July 2025, https://www.uscis.gov/visa-integrity-fee [3] U.S. Customs and Border Protection, "Visa Integrity Fee," July 2025, https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-integrity-fee

1. The new Visa Integrity Fee, a component of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," will impact various aspects of lifestyle, business, and travel in the United States, as it applies to tourists, business travelers, international students, and even skilled workers seeking H-1B visas.
2. The U.S. Travel Association, representing the travel and tourism industry, has expressed concerns that the new Visa Integrity Fee could deter travelers, potentially harming the country's attractiveness as a travel destination and impacting its competitiveness in the global business and lifestyle market.

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