United States

US visas, ESTA and the visa integrity fee

What changed for visitors to the United States: a new USD 250 fee on most visas, a planned ESTA price rise, and tighter enforcement.

Visa integrity fee

Since 1 October 2025 most nonimmigrant visa applicants pay a USD 250 "visa integrity fee" on top of the regular application fee (USD 185 for B-1/B-2). The fee is indexed to inflation from fiscal year 2026. It can be refunded after the trip if the traveller leaves on time and complies with visa conditions, though the refund process has been slow to materialise. Visa Waiver Program travellers, most Canadian citizens and diplomatic visa holders are exempt.

ESTA

The same law raises the ESTA fee from USD 21 to USD 40. As of October 2026 no effective date has been published, so check the official ESTA site for the current price. ESTA remains valid for two years or until the passport expires.

Visa Bulletin

The October 2026 Visa Bulletin opened fiscal year 2027. EB-2 and EB-5 India regained final action dates, several China categories advanced, and EB-2 and EB-3 retrogressed for most other countries. USCIS honours the Dates for Filing chart for employment-based adjustment of status in October.

Enforcement

On 20 October 2026 a senior official said the administration had revoked more than 300,000 visas. Holders of US visas, including student and work visas, should confirm their visa is still valid before travelling.

Sources

Last reviewed: 21 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the official source before you travel.