Starting October 1, 2025, all non-immigrant visa applicants to the United States—including tourists, students, and temporary workers from GCC countries—must pay a new US Visa Integrity Fee of $250
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Starting October 1, 2025, all non-immigrant visa applicants to the United States—including tourists, students, and temporary workers from GCC countries—must pay a new US Visa Integrity Fee of $250
Starting October 1, 2025, all non-immigrant visa applicants to the United States—including tourists, students, and temporary workers from GCC countries—must pay a new US Visa Integrity Fee of $250. This fee is part of the wider “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, and aims to enhance border security and reduce visa overstays.
The new surcharge is designed to support immigration enforcement and fund border security efforts. It is charged in addition to the existing visa application fees, which were last set at $185 in June 2023. The Visa Integrity Fee may increase at the discretion of the U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security and will be annually adjusted for inflation from 2026 onward.
The fee applies to virtually all non-immigrant visa categories, such as tourist, student, and work visas. GCC citizens, including UAE nationals, will typically be required to pay this fee unless exemptions or reciprocal fee agreements apply. Applicants are advised to consult the U.S. State Department’s Fees and Reciprocity Tables to check specific country rules.
GCC visa applicants should prepare to budget an additional $250 or more for U.S. visas starting this October. This fee is intended to deter overstays and improve immigration system integrity. No changes have been announced to tourist or medical visa processing times or validity, but applicants should keep checking the official visa portal at travel.state.gov for updates.
Travelers planning U.S. visits should monitor visa appointment availability, which varies by embassy and consulate. The Global Visa Wait Times website provides up-to-date information on appointment scheduling. For U.S. entry procedures and travel guidelines, visit www.cbp.gov/travel.
Nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas were granted in fiscal year 2024. However, nationals from Visa Waiver Program countries—mainly Australia and much of Europe—remain exempt from visa requirements and thus do not pay this fee when entering the U.S. for up to 90 days.
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