250 USD fee for non-immigrant visa to the US! According to the “One Big Beautiful Bill” recently approved by the Trump administration
Visitors entering the United States will be required to pay a “visa integrity fee,” under a provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill recently passed by the Trump administration. The fee applies to all visitors who require nonimmigrant visas to enter. However, travelers can get the fees refunded, under the provision.
Details about the new requirement are scarce, which has resulted in “significant challenges and unanswered questions about implementation,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Travel Association said. The fee will be at least $250 during the 2025 U.S. fiscal year, which runs from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025. However, the secretary of Homeland Security is free to set a higher fee, according to the provision. After that, the visa integrity fee will adjust for inflation.
The "visa integrity fee" applies to all visitors requiring non-immigrant visas, including tourists, business travelers, and international students. Some visitors, including those from Australia, Japan, and many countries in Europe, may not require a visa to enter under the Visa Waiver Program.
The fee is paid when the visa is issued, according to the provision. Thus, visitors whose visa applications are rejected will not pay.
To get their money back, visa holders must meet visa conditions, which include "not engaging in unauthorized employment" and not exceeding the visa's validity date by more than five days. Refunds will be made after the travel visa expires. But it's not yet clear when the fee will begin to be implemented. It's also unclear how travelers will pay the fee, the U.S. Travel Association said.
Since many visas are valid for several years, the US Congressional Budget Office said it expects "a small number of people will request a refund."
"President Trump's One Big Beautiful bill provides the policies and resources needed to restore integrity to our nation's immigration system," a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said.
Data shows that most visa holders adhere to their terms. For fiscal years 2016-2022, between 1-2% of nonimmigrant visitors overstayed their visas in the United States, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service.
However, data shows that about 42% of the approximately 11 million unauthorized people living in the United States entered the country legally but overstayed their admission period.
Customs "listens" to business/Invites to evaluate services to improve them
The General Directorate of Customs invites business to contribute to the improvement of customs services through a new questionnaire The General Directorate......
"Drone monitoring for public spaces" Rama: Confrontations will be done through technology
Prime Minister Edi Rama initiated the action of freeing up public spaces during meetings with citizens during the electoral campaign. According to the Prime......
How much does housing cost for Greeks? Almost half a salary to live in a house
Housing became less affordable for Greeks between 2018 and 2021, as almost a third of households spent more than 40% of their income to cover this basic......
Euro banknotes, with a new "face" / ECB will launch them on the market from next year
The European Central Bank (ECB) has officially launched the process of renewing the aesthetics of euro banknotes. From 15 July to 18 August 2025, the ECB is......
Rare metals, China supplies the US/ Exports of American firms increased 660% in June
Chinese exports of rare earth metals to the United States in June rose more than sevenfold from the previous month, as American firms seek to obtain the......
3-fold increase in EU entry fee? Commission proposal: From 7 to 20 euros for short-term stays
The European Commission has proposed increasing the fee for visa-exempt travelers arriving in the bloc for short stays from 7 euros to 20 euros, a senior EU......
Which region has the most agricultural vehicles? Fier and Korça lead, Dibra and Kukës have the lowest number
For 2024, Albania marks a significant increase in the use of mechanical tools for agriculture, with a total of 34 thousand units, including tractors,......
Safety in the tourist season/ Proda: Albanian-Italian patrols in the coastal area of Durrës!
The Director General of the State Police, Major General Ilir Proda, and the Ambassador of Italy to Albania, Marco Alberti, paid a visit to Durrës today,......
