New Visa Fee May Hurt U.S. Tourism

Beginner | September 23, 2025

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U.S. Visa Integrity Fee Risks Deepening Travel Slump

Starting October 1, 2025, the U.S. government will require many visitors from non‑visa waiver countries to pay a new $250 “U.S. visa integrity fee.” This extra cost adds to existing visa fees, pushing total costs for some visas up to $442, among the highest globally. (Reuters)

Travel to the U.S. has already been falling — in July 2025, the number of overseas visitors dropped by 3.1% compared to the same month last year. This is the fifth consecutive month of decline. Experts warn the new U.S. visa integrity fee could make things worse. (Reuters)

Who Will Be Most Affected by the U.S. Visa Integrity Fee

The fee affects travelers from countries that don’t have visa‑waiver agreements with the U.S. Countries like Mexico, Argentina, India, Brazil, and China will feel the impact the most. For many of them, paying $250 on top of existing visa costs represents a big jump. (Reuters)

The U.S. Travel Association says the total cost reaching $442 makes U.S. visas some of the most expensive in the world. Some businesses warn that additional friction in applying for visas — more paperwork, higher costs — may discourage tourism. (Fox News)

Economic Consequences

Because of the fee and other policy changes, international visitor spending in the U.S. is projected to fall — from about $181 billion in 2024 to under $169 billion in 2025. (Reuters)

Events that usually attract tourists — like the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and Los Angeles 2028 Olympics — may get less international attendance than expected. Some experts worry that reduced travel will also hurt local businesses — hotels, restaurants, tours — especially in cities that depend heavily on foreign tourists. (Reuters)

Possible Pushback & Alternatives

Critics of the U.S. visa integrity fee argue that it could make the U.S. seem unfriendly to international visitors. Some countries might respond with their own visa fees or stricter policies. (Reuters)

There is also talk of pilot programs requiring bonds of up to $15,000 for some business and tourist visa applicants — especially for countries with higher rates of “visa overstay.” That adds another layer of uncertainty. (Reuters)

Vocabulary

Visa waiver (noun) – an agreement letting citizens of certain countries travel without a visa.
Example: Travelers from visa waiver countries don’t have to pay this new $250 fee.
Integrity (noun) – honesty and fairness; often used in official or legal contexts.
Example: The “U.S. visa integrity fee” is meant to ensure applicants follow the visa rules.
Friction (noun) – difficulty or resistance; something that slows down or damages progress.
Example: Increased visa costs add friction to the travel process.
Projected (verb/adjective) – estimated or forecasted for the future.
Example: Visitor spending is projected to fall below $169 billion in 2025.
Pilot program (noun) – a trial or small‑scale test of a new policy.
Example: The bond requirement is part of a pilot program for some visa applicants.
Spending (noun) – the money people pay while traveling.
Example: International visitor spending is expected to drop due to the fee.
Tourism (noun) – the business of travel for pleasure.
Example: U.S. tourism may suffer if foreign visitors decide not to visit.
Attendance (noun) – the act of people going to an event.
Example: Big sports events depend on high attendance, including from abroad.
Overstay (noun) – staying in a country beyond the allowed time on a visa.
Example: Some applicants may need to post a bond if their country has high rates of overstay.
Projected decline (noun) – forecasted decrease.
Example: A projected decline in visitor numbers could hurt local hotel businesses.

Discussion Questions (About the Article)

Why might the $250 U.S. visa integrity fee discourage some people from traveling to the U.S.?
Which countries will feel the biggest impact from the fee, and why?
How could a drop in international visitor spending affect small business owners in tourist cities?
Do you think this fee is fair, or is it too expensive for many travelers?
What might be some ways the U.S. government could reduce the negative effects of the visa fee?

Discussion Questions (About the Topic)

Have you ever stopped yourself from traveling somewhere because of visa costs or visa difficulties? Tell me about it.
How important is tourism to a country’s economy? What are the risks when tourism drops?
Do you think rich countries have the right to charge higher visa fees? Why or why not?
What can travelers do to avoid high fees or visa problems?
Could visa fees lead to tensions between countries (for example, retaliation)? How?

Related Idiom

“Raise the bar” – to make standards, challenges, or requirements higher.

Example: The new U.S. visa integrity fee raises the bar for travelers — some may decide it’s too high to cross.

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This article was inspired by Reuters: New $250 visa fee risks deepening U.S. travel slump. (Reuters)