US Will increase Visa Charges for Most Worldwide Travelers

The 1-94 charge, which is required for vacationers getting into the US by land, elevated from $6 to $30. The $30 fee is obligatory for everybody besides American residents, returning lawful residents, non-US residents with immigrant visas, and most Canadian residents who’re visiting or in transit.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) charge elevated by virtually twofold from $21 to $40. Travelers from the 42 international locations which might be a part of the US Visa Waiver Program might want to pay the $40 levy when visiting the US for enterprise or leisure journeys lasting 90 days or much less.

The Electronic Visa Update System charge, which is particularly for Chinese vacationers to the US for short-term enterprise or leisure, was elevated to $30.

While these quantities are locked in for fiscal yr 2026, which started on October 1, 2025, they may improve sooner or later to maintain up with the speed of inflation.

The new $250 ‘visa integrity fee’ may go into impact quickly

So far, an official begin date for the $250 “visa integrity charge” has not been announced, nor have other crucial logistical details about how the fee process will work. Here’s a look at what details have been released about the hefty new fee and what remains unclear.

Who will need to pay the new visa fee?

Any non-immigrant travelers from countries that are not on the US visa waiver listing might want to pay the charge as a way to enter the US. That means most vacationers coming from Africa, Latin America, and South America, in addition to choose international locations in Asia and the Middle East, will probably be topic to the brand new $250 levy.

Travelers from visa waiver international locations who’re visiting the US for a purpose that requires a particular visa may also be required to pay the charge. The charges will apply to all pupil visas, work visas, and different particular visas, together with: F-1 and F-2 pupil visas; J-1 and J-2 change visas; H1-b and H-4 short-term work visas, and different employment and customer classes.