The Digest:
The United States has introduced a Travel Burden for international visitors, implementing a new mandatory $250 visa integrity fee for all non-immigrant visa applicants. This move, part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," significantly impacts tourists, business travelers, and international students. This new regulation signals a shift in U.S. immigration policy, urging us to explore the potential effects on global mobility.
Key Points:
- The U.S. introduced a new mandatory $250 visa integrity fee.
- The fee applies to all non-immigrant visa applicants.
- It's part of immigration reforms under the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act."
- The $250 fee is only charged upon visa issuance, not denial.
- Travelers complying with regulations may be eligible for reimbursement, including green card holders.
- The Secretary of Homeland Security can increase this fee in the future.
- The Act also raises fees for Form I-94 (to $24) and ESTA (to at least $13).
