Recently, the U.S. government officially introduced a new visa regulation that has sparked global concern. According to the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act," signed into effect by the Trump administration,effective October 1, 2025, all foreign visitors applying for U.S. non-immigrant visas must pay an additional fee called a "Visa Integrity Fee," amounting to as much as $250!
This charge does not replace existing visa fees but is an additional cost imposed on top of them, creating significant implications for Chinese applicants planning to travel, study, exchange, or work in the U.S.
What is the "Visa Integrity Fee"?
The "Visa Integrity Fee" is a newly established additional fee by the U.S. government intended to:
• Increase compliance awareness among visa holders
• Curb visa abuse, illegal overstaying, and illegal employment
• Strengthen "integrity oversight" of the immigration system
This fee will be collected by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Department of State from applicants during the visa issuance stage.
Note: This fee is an additional levy and is not included in the visa application fee. For example:
• The original B-category tourist visa fee is $185
• After the new regulation takes effect, the total cost will be approximately $435 or more
• Including "reciprocity fees" or "anti-fraud fees," the total cost could exceed $500
Who is required to pay?
Applicants for the following visa types are all required to pay this fee:
• B1/B2 (Tourism/Business)
• F-category (Student Visa)
• J-category (Exchange Visitor)
• H-category (Work Visa)
• Other non-immigrant visa categories
✅ Citizens of U.S. "Visa Waiver Program" countries (such as the UK, Japan, Singapore) are exempt from this fee
❌ Citizens of China, India, and others must pay it
Is this money refundable?
Yes, but the threshold is high!
According to the bill, this fee acts as a "good faith deposit." If the visa holder:
• Legally stays within the valid duration
• Avoids overstaying or illegal activities
• Departs on time or changes status legally
✅ You may apply for a full refund of the $250!
❌ If any of the following occur, no refund will be provided:
• Overstaying the visa
• Illegal employment or unauthorized work
• Unauthorized changes in status or abuse of visa purpose
Currently, the U.S. government has not announced specific refund procedures or application channels; operating guidelines are expected to be released before the official implementation.
Why has this new policy sparked global discussion?
1. A sharp increase in visa costs
For frequent visitors to the U.S., the fee increase will become a significant burden.
2. Unclear refund mechanism
Although it is described as "refundable," the details of how the policy will be executed remain highly uncertain.
3. Increased compliance supervision
Future travel to the U.S. will place a greater emphasis on "law-abiding, compliance, and integrity."
4. Potential curb on tourism and education
This might impact the volume of international visitors, especially with the 2026 World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approaching.
What should Chinese applicants keep in mind?
• Budget in advance: The total cost of visa applications will rise significantly; applicants should plan their budgets accordingly.
• Arrange itineraries reasonably: If planning to visit or accompany a student to the U.S., consider submitting visa applications before the new policy takes effect.
• Maintain compliance records: Especially for student visa holders and business travelers, ensure legal stay and return home on schedule.
• Stay updated on refund details: It is recommended to obtain the latest refund process guidance through authoritative channels or professional agencies.
Professional Advice from Worldway Group
As one of the top 500 Asian brands and a company dedicated to investment immigration for over 20 years, Worldway Group possesses extensive experience in U.S. immigration. Worldway Group specifically advises:
• Clients planning to invest, study, or immigrate to the U.S. should immediately assess the impact of this new policy on their travel plans and status paths.
• Those intending to obtain a Green Card in one step through an EB-5 investment immigration project will not need to apply for non-immigrant visas frequently, thereby avoiding potential risks such as the integrity fee and visa extensions.
Under the new EB-5 policy, consider the EB-5 rural project: There are no age, academic, language, business, or work experience requirements. With a minimum investment of $800,000, your entire family can quickly obtain a Green Card without any waiting period. Investors can file Forms I-526E and I-485 concurrently, and receive a Combo Card in about 3 months, allowing them to enjoy the freedom of "quasi-Green Card" status in advance. Currently, the hot-selling "Great Smoky Mountains Marriott Hotel" EB-5 rural project is highly popular. With the following core advantages, this project is becoming a popular choice for EB-5 investment:
☑ Approximately 1.5 times the first-priority mortgage on real estate + developer shareholders provide joint liability repayment guarantees with personal assets
☑ 10-billion-fund guarantees for I-956F denial, I-526E denial, and job creation
☑ Project job creation multiplier reaches as high as 1.7 times
☑ Ideally situated at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a destination with tens of millions of visitors, far exceeding Yellowstone
☑ Located in the highly sought-after, elite town of Gatlinburg, where hotel rooms are in high demand
If you are interested in learning about "U.S. immigration," "new visa policies," or "response strategies for the visa integrity fee," contact Worldway Group immediately to customize a secure and efficient path to the U.S.!
Official Phone: Mainland China: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong Customer Service Center: (852)2802 8798
Website: www.worldwayhk.com
Worldway, a veteran immigration firm in the top tier of China's immigration industry, currently has branches in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Hong Kong, and Macau, as well as customer service centers in the United States, Canada, Portugal, Turkey, etc.... Helping tens of thousands of families successfully immigrate overseas.
Authoritative immigration information, all at Worldway! Please feel free to forward and share so friends and family planning to visit the U.S. can master the latest trends.