The $250 Visa Integrity Fee in 2026: Who Pays, How Much, and How to Get Reimbursed

If you are applying for a U.S. nonimmigrant visa this year, budget for one more line item: the Visa Integrity Fee. This new $250 Visa Integrity Fee was created by federal law in 2025 and applies to most nonimmigrant visa applicants in 2026 — on top of every other fee you already pay. This guide explains exactly who pays, how much it costs, who is exempt, and the narrow circumstances under which you can get the money back.

Bottom line: The Visa Integrity Fee is a mandatory, non-waivable charge collected when a nonimmigrant visa is issued. It starts at $250 and rises with inflation each year. It is refundable only if you follow every visa condition and then leave on time or move to a longer-term status.

What is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The Visa Integrity Fee is a federal charge codified at 8 U.S.C. § 1806, added by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (Pub. L. 119-21, § 100007, enacted July 4, 2025). The statute directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require the fee from any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa, at the time of issuance — and it is charged “in addition to any other fee authorized by law.”

Two features make it different from the fees travelers are used to:

• It cannot be waived or reduced. The law is explicit: “Fees required to be paid under this subsection shall not be waived or reduced.”
• It is potentially refundable — but only if you meet strict compliance conditions after your visa expires (see below).

How much is the Visa Integrity Fee in 2026?

The amount is set by statute and adjusted every year:

Fiscal year	Amount
FY 2025	The greater of $250 or a higher amount set by DHS rule
FY 2026 and later	Prior year’s amount plus a CPI-U inflation adjustment (based on July Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers), rounded down to the nearest dollar

In practice, the fee starts at $250 and increases modestly each fiscal year with inflation. Because DHS may set a higher figure by rule and the annual CPI adjustment changes the number, always confirm the current amount with the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case before you pay.

Who has to pay — and who is exempt

The fee attaches to the issuance of a nonimmigrant visa. That means it reaches the large majority of temporary-visa travelers, including:

• B-1/B-2 visitors (business and tourism)
• F-1/M-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors
• H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, O-1, and other work and dependent categories

Because the fee is tied to being issued a nonimmigrant visa, some groups fall outside it:

• Immigrant visa (green card) applicants — they are issued immigrant visas, not nonimmigrant visas, so this particular fee does not apply.
• Visa Waiver Program / ESTA travelers — they are not issued a visa at a consulate, so they are not charged the Visa Integrity Fee (a separate ESTA fee applies).
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents re-entering on their existing status.

When and how the fee is charged

The Visa Integrity Fee is collected at visa issuance, not when you submit the DS-160 or pay the standard $185 nonimmigrant visa application (MRV) fee. It is a separate, additional charge. Implementation has been rolling out across posts during 2026, and collection procedures can vary by consulate, so verify the exact payment steps in your appointment instructions. Compare current interview and appointment timing on our U.S. visa appointment wait times tracker before you plan travel.

Can you get the Visa Integrity Fee reimbursed?

Yes — but reimbursement is discretionary and only available after your visa’s validity period ends. Under 8 U.S.C. § 1806(b), DHS may reimburse the fee if you demonstrate that you:

1. Complied with all conditions of the nonimmigrant visa after admission — including the condition that you did not accept unauthorized employment; and
2. Either:
   • Did not seek to extend your admission and departed the United States within 5 days after the last day of your validity period; or
   • Received an extension of status or adjusted to lawful permanent resident during the validity period.

Any fees that are not reimbursed are deposited into the U.S. Treasury general fund. As of mid-2026, the formal claims process is still being stood up, so keep proof of timely departure or status change to support a future refund request.

What it means for common visa types

Traveler	Pays the fee?	Practical note
H-1B worker getting a visa abroad	Yes, at issuance	Refund possible if you later extend status or adjust to a green card
F-1 student	Yes, at issuance	Track your studies and any OPT work authorization carefully to stay compliant
B-1/B-2 visitor	Yes, at issuance	Refund requires departing within 5 days of your authorized stay ending
Green card (immigrant visa) applicant	No	Immigrant visas are outside this fee
ESTA / Visa Waiver traveler	No	Not issued a consular visa

If you are weighing a work visa, see our H-1B resource hub and current USCIS processing times to plan around both fees and timelines.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the Visa Integrity Fee in 2026?

It starts at $250 (FY 2025) and increases each fiscal year with a CPI-U inflation adjustment beginning in FY 2026. Confirm the exact current figure with your consulate, since DHS can also set a higher amount by rule.

Is the Visa Integrity Fee refundable?

Potentially. You may qualify for reimbursement after your visa expires if you complied with all visa conditions (including no unauthorized work) and either departed within 5 days of your validity ending or obtained an extension or green card during that period.

Do green card applicants pay the Visa Integrity Fee?

No. The fee applies to people issued a nonimmigrant visa. Immigrant visa (green card) applicants are not charged this particular fee.

Is this the same as the $185 visa application fee?

No. The Visa Integrity Fee is charged in addition to the standard nonimmigrant visa application (MRV) fee and any other applicable fees, and it is collected at visa issuance.

Can the Visa Integrity Fee be waived for hardship?

No. The statute states the fee cannot be waived or reduced under any circumstance.

Related reading

For more visa-fee and policy updates, visit the US Visa Tracker blog, check live USCIS processing times, or review appointment wait times by country.

Sources: 8 U.S.C. § 1806 (Visa Integrity Fee), enacted by Pub. L. 119-21, § 100007 (July 4, 2025); U.S. Department of State fee schedule (travel.state.gov). This article is general information, not legal advice. Fee amounts and rollout procedures are still being implemented in 2026 — always confirm current figures with the U.S. embassy or consulate handling your case.