US visa fee hike: Indians planning to travel to the United States might soon face a steep increase in visa fees due to a new US visa fee hike. The US government has introduced a “Visa Integrity Fee” that could more than double the cost of visas for students, tourists, business travellers, and tech professionals. Immigration consultants have flagged this as a major concern for Indian applicants
What is the Visa Integrity Fee?
The US visa fee hike stems from the “Visa Integrity Fee” mentioned in the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025. This fee will be charged on top of existing visa fees for non-immigrant visas. The move has caught the attention of students and companies facilitating overseas education and travel.
How Much Will It Cost?
For the financial year 2025, the new fee will be at least $250 or an amount set by the US Department of Homeland Security. For example, the current B1/B2 visa (business or tourist) fee of about ₹16,000 ($185) could jump to roughly ₹37,500 with the US visa fee hike, according to Sanjeev Rai, a partner at Hyderabad Overseas Consultants. He noted that the new fee structure is likely to kick in from January 2026.
Why the Increase?
The US visa fee hike is part of a broader bill that includes tax breaks and spending cuts, closely watched by immigration experts. The additional fee aims to strengthen visa processing systems, but it’s left Indian applicants worried about the financial burden. Official details on the exact fee amount are still awaited.
What’s Next for Applicants?
For now, there’s no official confirmation on the final fee structure, but the proposed changes have sparked concern. Indian students and professionals are bracing for higher costs as they plan their US trips. As the US visa fee hike looms, many are hoping for clarity from US authorities soon.
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