From late 2025, millions of international travellers to the United States will face a new ‘visa integrity fee’ of US$250 (approximately AUD$380), as part of a significant tax cuts and spending legislation signed by former President Donald Trump on July 4. This fee will impact various visa categories, including B-tourist visas, student visas, and the commonly utilised H-1B visa, which corporations often rely on for hiring overseas skilled labour.
In addition to the fee, individuals seeking asylum will be subject to an extra charge of AUD$100, on top of existing expenses. However, the US government has noted that those who pay the fee may be eligible for a reimbursement should they adhere to their visa conditions.
Importantly, this new fee will not affect those applying for an ESTA, a travel authorisation that allows citizens from specific countries, such as Australia, to visit the US for up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program.
This fee introduction coincides with Trump’s attempts to revive a travel ban, re-enacting restrictions on entry from numerous nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, and Libya, among others. In June, he enforced a proclamation barring individuals from a dozen countries from entering the US, with additional heightened restrictions aimed at visitors from other regions, such as Cuba and Venezuela.
This series of policy changes underscores the evolving landscape of US immigration and travel security, ahead of the anticipated increase in application fees set to take effect in the coming years.