A mandatory surcharge added to all non‑immigrant visa applications (B‑1/B‑2 tourist/business, F/M student, H‑1B work, J exchange, etc.), effective in fiscal year 2026 (starting October 2025). Only diplomatic visa holders (A and G categories) are exempt.
Non‑waivable, but refundable: You’re not automatically entitled to a refund—it depends on strict compliance with visa terms (e.g., leaving within 5 days of expiry or a change of status).
New or increased charges coming on top of the current base visa fee ($185 for B‑1/B‑2):
Fee Description Amount
Visa Integrity Fee $250
I‑94 arrival/departure record $24
ESTA (for Visa Waiver travelers) $13
EVUS (for Chinese 10‑yr B visitors) $30
These additions could push total costs to roughly $472 for a B‑1/B‑2 visa, a nearly 2.5‑fold increase
