International travelers, including many from Ghana, planning to visit the United States will soon have to pay a new $250 “visa integrity fee” as part of changes under the U.S. government’s newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced during the Trump administration.
The fee is mandatory for all applicants who require a nonimmigrant visa, which includes tourists, students, and business travelers, and cannot be waived.
Though there’s potential for reimbursement, the exact process remains unclear, leaving many questions unanswered. Here’s a breakdown of what is currently known about this new requirement and how it may affect travelers.
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What Is the Visa Integrity Fee?
The visa integrity fee is an additional charge of at least $250 that will take effect during the U.S. fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024–September 30, 2025). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may choose to increase this amount.
It’s worth noting that this fee is in addition to existing visa charges and will be adjusted for inflation in future years.
Who Is Required to Pay?
This new fee applies to all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those going to the U.S. for:
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Tourism (B1/B2 visas)
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Business visits
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Studies (F-1 visa holders)
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Temporary work (H-1B, etc.)
Citizens of countries under the Visa Waiver Program, such as Australia, Japan, and several European nations, may be exempt. Unfortunately, Ghana is not currently part of this waiver program, so Ghanaian travellers will be affected.
When and How Will It Be Paid?
According to the law, the fee is only charged when a visa is approved, so applicants denied a visa will not be asked to pay. However, there’s still no clear implementation date for when the fee will officially take effect.
There are also uncertainties about how and where the fee will be collected, as the Department of Homeland Security does not handle visa issuance, which is the role of the U.S. Department of State. Coordination between agencies is still ongoing.
Will This Replace Existing Fees?
No. This fee is an extra charge on top of current visa processing fees. For example:
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An H-1B visa applicant currently pays $205.
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With the new fee, that will increase to $455.
Additionally, the Act also increases the Form I-94 fee (required for most travellers entering the U.S.) from $6 to $24.
So, for a regular visitor, the total cost could easily exceed $270-$300 or more, depending on the type of visa.
Can the Fee Be Refunded?
Yes but only under certain strict conditions.
To qualify for a refund, travelers must:
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Not overstay their visa by more than five days
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Not take up unauthorized employment
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Comply fully with the terms of their visa
Even if these conditions are met, reimbursements will only be processed after the visa expires, and no system is yet in place to manage these refunds.
Experts suggest that travelers should not rely on the possibility of a refund. As one U.S. immigration lawyer put it, “If you get it back, great, but don’t count on it.”
Why the New Fee?
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the aim is to enhance immigration integrity and recover costs associated with enforcing immigration rules.
While most nonimmigrant visa holders obey U.S. laws, statistics show that 1–2% overstay their visa annually. However, a significant portion of undocumented immigrants—around 42%—originally entered the country legally and overstayed their visa.
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How Might This Impact Ghanaian Travellers?
The fee could affect students and holidaymakers from Ghana the most, especially families or groups traveling together. The extra cost may force many to rethink their travel budgets or delay their plans altogether.
The change comes as the U.S. prepares to host major global events in 2026, including:
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The 250th Anniversary of U.S. Independence (“America 250”)
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Parts of the FIFA World Cup
Ironically, while the U.S. is preparing to welcome more visitors, this new fee, along with a significant funding cut to Brand USA, the body responsible for promoting U.S. travel, could discourage many potential tourists.
Industry Response
Travel industry players have voiced concern. Geoff Freeman, President of the U.S. Travel Association, praised infrastructure investments in the bill but criticized the fee:
“The smart investments in the travel process make foolish new fees on foreign visitors and reductions to Brand USA that much harder to swallow.”
Despite the controversy, the law is now in effect, and travelers planning U.S. visits should stay updated via official embassy announcements.
If you’re planning to visit the U.S. for school, vacation, or business, prepare for this extra fee and follow all visa conditions carefully if you hope to qualify for a refund.
As the implementation details are still unfolding, keep an eye on announcements from the U.S. Embassy in Accra or the U.S. Department of State for the latest updates.
Stay informed. Stay prepared. GHParrot will continue to follow this story as it develops.
