US Introduces $250 Visa Integrity Fee, Impacting Travelers from India, China, and Mexico

The United States will introduce a $250 'visa integrity fee' for non-immigrant visa holders starting October 2025, aimed at ensuring compliance with visa rules. This fee, added to existing visa costs, is intended as a deposit refundable upon adherence to visa conditions, but the refund process remains unclear. The fee could impact tourism, especially from countries with growing visitor numbers, amid a broader decline in US tourism and international spending.