‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ Introduces New $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’; USCIS Releases List of Fees

The recently enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1) introduces a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” for nonimmigrants, among other fees. The Visa Integrity Fee is intended to boost funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to support increased immigration enforcement activities. The new fee will be charged to individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa at the time of visa issuance. The legislation includes provisions that allow the DHS Secretary to raise the fee as needed and increase the fee based on inflation. There is not a set date on which the fee will be enacted.

Those required to pay the fee will include:

• Employment-based workers and their dependents: H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, TN, TD, O-1, O-3, P
• Students and their dependents: F-1, F-2
• Exchange visitors and their dependents: J-1, J-2
• Visitors: B-1, B-2

Entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program would not be subject to the visa integrity fee. There are no exceptions to the fee, which cannot be reduced. However, the legislation allows for reimbursement in certain circumstances after the period of admission has expired.

Also, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a notice on July 22, 2025, announcing the agency’s new fees, to whom those fees apply, when the new fees take effect, instructions on their payment, when and if the fees may be waived, and consequences of the failure to pay.

This is posting is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, please contact our Attorney, Catherine Betancourt at catherine@flynnhodkinson.com.