Indians Planning To Travel To The US Will Now Have To Pay A Visa Integrity Fee From 2026, Applicable To All Visa Categories

From 2026, Indians planning to travel to the US will have to pay a steep increase in visa fees. The Visa Integrity Fee will be applied, which is non-refundable. The cost will be $250. It will apply to all visitors, students, and work visa categories. It will also include the widely used B-1/B-2 tourist visa. The total cost will rise to nearly $472 (₹40,000). Earlier, the price was $185.

US President Joe Biden, on July 4, signed a new law as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It was aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and visa compliance. This is responsible for the price hike.

From January 1, 2026, Visa applicants from India will have to pay the following charges :

$250- Visa Integrity Fee (new)

$24- 1-94 arrival/departure form fee

$13-$30- Additional costs (like ESTA or EVUS), depending on the category

Together, the typical B-1/B-2 visa cost will rise nearly 2.5 times the present amount, from $185 to $472. The Visa Integrity Fee is a mandatory deposit to ensure visitors follow the rules of their visa, including timely departure, no overstay, and no illegal work. It is non-waivable and non-refundable if the traveller violates any rule.

Funds collected from unrefunded fees will go into the US Treasury, and US lawmakers have positioned it as a safeguard to maintain trust in the visa system. Travellers, tourists, students, and tech workers from India will be affected the most.

Visa categories impacted include: B-1/B-2 - Tourist and business visitors

F-1- Students

H-1B - Skilled professionals

J-1 - Exchange visitors

A large number of H-1B visa sponsors by IT companies will also see rising costs. Indians who apply for a US visa before December 31, 2025, will avoid the $250 Integrity Fee. The current application fee of $185 (~₹15,600) will continue until the end of 2025.

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