New $250 'visa integrity fee' to be imposed on millions of travelers
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The Trump administration is introducing a new $250 ‘visa integrity fee’ for travelers entering the United States, a move that aligns with its ongoing immigration restrictions. Effective October 1, this additional charge will further complicate travel for those from non-visa waiver countries such as Mexico, Argentina, India, Brazil, and China.

The extra charge raises the total visa cost to $442, one of the highest visitor fees in the world, according to the US Travel Association. Tourists would be expected to pay the one-off cost at the time their visa is issued. It was brought in under the umbrella of Trump's Big Beautiful Bill Act. But the move could be devastating to the ailing tourism sector, which is already feeling the pressure of President Donald Trump 's policies.

This fee will raise the total visa cost to $442, making it one of the most expensive visitor fees globally, according to the US Travel Association. Tourists must pay this one-time fee when their visa is issued. Introduced under Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act, the fee could negatively impact the struggling tourism sector, already challenged by President Trump’s policies.
Trump's hostility with leaders from several nations and his tariff policies have also seen some tourists - particularly those from Canada - vow to boycott American vacations. Overseas travel to the US fell 3.1 percent year-on-year in July to 19.2 million visitors, according to government data. It was the fifth month of decline this year, defying expectations that 2025 would see annual inbound visitors finally surpass the pre-pandemic level of 79.4 million. 'Any friction we add to the traveler experience is going to cut travel volumes by some amount,' said Gabe Rizzi, President of global travel management company Altour. 'As the summer ends this will become a more pressing issue, and we'll have to factor the fees into travel budgets and documentation.'

Trump’s strained relations with certain global leaders and his tariff measures have led some tourists, especially Canadians, to pledge not to vacation in the U.S. Government data reveals a 3.1 percent decrease in overseas travel to the US in July, totaling 19.2 million visitors. This marks the fifth month of reduced numbers this year, despite predictions that 2025 would exceed the pre-pandemic visitor number of 79.4 million. “Adding any friction to the traveler experience will inevitably decrease travel volumes,” noted Gabe Rizzi, President of Altour, a global travel management company. As summer ends, the fee will become a significant consideration when planning travel budgets and documentation.

The newest visa fee is likely to hit hardest in Central and South American countries that have been a rare bright spot for U.S. travel this year. As of May, travel from Mexico to the U.S. was up nearly 14% in 2025, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office. Arrivals from Argentina rose 20% and from Brazil 4.6% year-to-date. Overall, travel from Central America grew 3% and from South America 0.7%, compared with a decline of 2.3% from Western Europe.

The new visa fee will particularly impact countries in Central and South America, which have been strong contributors to U.S. travel growth this year. Travel from Mexico to the U.S. increased by nearly 14% in 2025, per the National Travel and Tourism Office. Arrivals from Argentina saw a 20% increase, and Brazil 4.6%. Overall, travel from Central America rose by 3% and South America by 0.7%, compared to a 2.3% decline from Western Europe.

International visitor spending in the US is projected to fall below $169 billion this year, down from $181 billion in 2024, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. The visa fee reinforces a bleak perception of the US under Trump, whose immigration policies, cuts to foreign aid and sweeping tariffs have eroded America's appeal as a destination - even with major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon. The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed government regulation that aims to tighten the duration of visas for students, cultural exchange visitors and members of the media.

The World Travel & Tourism Council projects international visitor spending in the US to fall below $169 billion this year, down from $181 billion in 2024. The visa fee contributes to the negative perception of the US under Trump, whose immigration stance, cuts in foreign aid, and broad tariffs have reduced its attractiveness as a destination. This persists even with major events such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics approaching. In addition, the Trump administration recently proposed new regulations to limit visa durations for students, cultural exchange participants, and media members.
And just two months ago, Trump imposed a travel ban restricting the arrival of tourists from 12 primarily African and Middle Eastern countries. The ban applied to citizens of Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Two months prior, Trump also enforced a travel ban affecting tourists from 12 mainly African and Middle Eastern countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.

It also imposes heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and don't hold a valid visa. The impacted countries had 'deficient' screening for passports and other public documents or have historically refused to take back their own citizens, Trump said.

It also imposes heightened restrictions on people from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela who are outside the U.S. and don’t hold a valid visa. The impacted countries had ‘deficient’ screening for passports and other public documents or have historically refused to take back their own citizens, Trump said.

He relied extensively on an annual Homeland Security report of people who remain in the US after their visas expired. Trump also tied that ban to a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, saying it underscored the dangers posed by some visitors who overstay visas.

He relied extensively on an annual Homeland Security report of people who remain in the US after their visas expired. Trump also tied that ban to a terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, saying it underscored the dangers posed by some visitors who overstay visas.
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