U.S. to Impose 250 Dollar Fee on Tourist and Student Visas...Refund Available for Lawful Stay

Application of OBBBA Bill... Implementation Date Undecided
All Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants Affected

Foreign nationals visiting the United States in the future will likely be required to pay a new fee equivalent to approximately 350,000 KRW when applying for non-immigrant visas for purposes such as tourism, study, or business trips.

Photo by AP

According to U.S. media outlets including CNBC and The Hill on July 18 (local time), the U.S. Department of Homeland Security plans to introduce a new "visa integrity fee" under the recently enacted "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA).

This legislation is a large-scale fiscal bill that supports the tax cut and budget expansion policies of former President Trump.

The newly imposed visa fee is set at $250 (about 350,000 KRW), but it may be increased starting next year to reflect inflation and other factors. The exact amount and the implementation date have not yet been determined, and the final decision rests with U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem.

This fee will apply to all applicants for non-immigrant visas, including those for tourism, study, and business trips, and will be charged upon visa approval. It will not be charged if the visa application is denied.

However, if visa holders comply with visa regulations?such as not engaging in unauthorized employment while in the U.S. and not overstaying their visa by more than five days after expiration?the fee may be refunded.

This measure is separate from the existing foreigner entry and exit record fee (I-94), which has also been increased fourfold from $6 (about 8,300 KRW) to $24 (about 33,000 KRW) under the new law.