The United States has announced the introduction of a $250 “visa integrity fee” for travelers from countries not part of the Visa Waiver Program, including India, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and China. Effective October 1, 2025, this fee will raise the total cost of a US visitor visa to $442, making it one of the highest visa fees globally, according to the US Travel Association.
The new fee comes at a time when international travel to the US is declining. In July 2025, overseas arrivals fell 3.1% year-on-year, with only 19.2 million visitors, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline and indicating that travel has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels of 79.4 million visitors.
The fee hike is expected to particularly impact Central and South American nations, which had seen growth in US arrivals earlier this year. Travel from Mexico increased nearly 14% by May 2025, Argentina by 20%, and Brazil by 4.6%. Other regions, including Western Europe, experienced declines in visitor numbers.
This move aligns with broader policy shifts by the US administration to tighten visa regulations. Recent measures include proposals for tourist and business visa applicants to post bonds up to $15,000 and draft regulations aimed at shortening visa durations for international students, cultural exchange participants, and journalists. Collectively, these policies signal a more restrictive approach to US entry and cross-border movement, reflecting the administration’s focus on immigration control and national security.
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