Starting in late 2025, the US government will implement this fee for numerous foreign nationals applying for a visa, following Trump’s approval of the tax cuts and spending law on July 4.
This fee will be applicable to B-tourist visas, student visas, along with the H-1B visa, which is commonly used by companies to recruit skilled workers from abroad.
Those seeking asylum will also be required to pay additional $100 on top of existing fees.
The US government has suggested that travelers who pay the fee may be eligible for a reimbursement if they adhere to their visa conditions.
The changes will not apply to ESTA applications, which allow citizens of certain countries, including Australia, to travel to the US for or up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program.
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It comes amid US President Donald Trump’s move to resurrect the travel ban policy from his first term.
Recently, he signed a proclamation preventing people from a dozen countries from entering the United States.
The countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
In addition to the ban, which came into effect in June, there will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
