In 2023, over 29 lakhs Indian immigrants have been reported to be residing in the US. Notably, in 2023 and 2024, the US issued over one million non-immigrant visas to Indians, setting a document. Whereas the US stays a preferred vacation spot for Indian, quickly these planning to go to the nation could must pay extra. There is a new visa charge to issue into your price range. Beneath a current coverage launched by the President Donald Trump administration, a brand new Rs 21,600 (Approx) ($250) ‘visa integrity charge’ has been added for all non-immigrant visa candidates.
This new cost is a part of a broader home coverage aimed toward tightening immigration processes and has brought on concern throughout the worldwide journey and tourism sectors. The charge applies to anybody making use of for a non-immigrant visa—whether or not for tourism, schooling, enterprise, short-term work, or medical visits. It is an extra price on prime of the present $185 software charge, bringing the entire to $435 for every applicant, reported TOI.
In 2024 alone, greater than 11 million individuals have been granted non-immigrant visas, in accordance with US State Division figures. This new charge will apply to vacationers from nations outdoors the U.S. visa waiver program, comparable to India, Mexico, Brazil, and China.
These visiting the US from nations below the visa waiver program—together with most of Europe, the UK, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, Chile, and Qatar—won’t be affected. Most Canadian vacationers are additionally exempt from this new charge, mentioned the report.
There’s additionally some uncertainty about whether or not the brand new $250 charge is refundable. Whereas officers have indicated that refunds could be doable if the traveler follows all visa circumstances throughout their keep, no clear tips have been issued on how or when such refunds can be processed.
Along with the visa integrity charge, a number of different travel-related prices are additionally rising:
The I-94 type charge, used to document arrivals and departures, will improve from $6 to $24.
The EVUS charge, required for some Chinese language nationals, will go up from $8 to at the very least $30.
The ESTA charge—utilized by guests from visa-waiver nations—will rise from $21 to $40.
These new fees may also be adjusted yearly for inflation, which suggests worldwide vacationers might face even increased prices sooner or later.