Traveling to the U.S.? Here’s What to Know About the New Canada Visa Integrity Fee in 2025

A new cost is being added to international travel, and it’s causing confusion and concern among many would-be visitors to the United States. As part of the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, the U.S. government has introduced a new $250 “visa integrity fee” for nonimmigrant visa applicants—including tourists, business travelers, and international students.

While the fee is not limited to Canadians, it affects Canadians applying for certain U.S. visas that fall outside the Visa Waiver Program or automatic entry privileges. Here’s everything travelers from Canada (and beyond) should know about this additional charge.

What Is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The visa integrity fee is a new charge added on top of all existing visa fees for nonimmigrant visitors to the U.S. That includes the usual application fees and the recently increased Form I-94 fee, which rose from $6 to $24 under the same bill.

The fee applies to:

Tourists
Business travelers
Students
Temporary workers (e.g., H-1B visa holders)

It does not replace any other visa-related cost and cannot be waived or reduced, regardless of income or travel purpose.

How Much Is It and When Do You Pay?

For fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), the fee is set at a minimum of $250. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) can raise the fee anytime, and it will be adjusted annually for inflation.

Travelers must pay the fee when the visa is issued. If your visa is denied, you won’t be charged.

Can You Get the Fee Refunded?

Yes—but only if you follow the rules. To be eligible for a refund, visa holders must:

Not overstay their visa by more than five days
Not take unauthorized jobs
Comply with all other visa conditions

Reimbursements will only be processed after the visa expires, and the process is still being developed. Experts caution that getting refunds from government systems isn’t always straightforward, so many travelers may never reclaim the fee.

Who Is Most Affected?

The visa integrity fee will have the biggest impact on:

Leisure travelers visiting family or vacationing
International students
Temporary workers and their dependents

For Canadians, it may raise the cost of work or study visas significantly, particularly for families traveling together.

What’s the Timeline?

Despite the bill’s passage, the fee has not yet been implemented. Experts believe the DHS will need to issue new regulations or publish notices in the Federal Register before collection begins. As of now, there is no official start date.

A Deeper Look: Why the Fee?

According to U.S. officials, the fee is designed to improve visa enforcement and reduce the number of people who overstay. While 1% to 2% of visa holders typically overstay, a 2023 report estimated that 42% of undocumented people in the U.S. originally entered legally, then overstayed their visas.

The U.S. government expects the fee to generate $28.9 billion over 10 years, helping to reduce the national deficit.

Conflicting Signals on Travel

At the same time the U.S. is raising travel costs, it has cut funding for Brand USA—its tourism promotion agency—from $100 million to $20 million. Critics argue this sends mixed messages, especially ahead of major events like the FIFA World Cup 2026 and America’s 250th anniversary.

Geoff Freeman of the U.S. Travel Association called the move “foolish,” noting that raising fees while cutting tourism promotion may discourage international travel.

Final Thoughts for Canadian Travelers

While Canada is not exempt, Canadians using visa-exempt travel (e.g., business visits under NAFTA/USMCA) may avoid the fee. But for many others—including students and work visa holders—the Canada visa integrity fee could mean hundreds more in upfront costs when traveling to the U.S.

With implementation details still pending, travelers are advised to watch for official updates and budget accordingly if planning to apply for a U.S. visa in 2025 or beyond.

Would you still consider applying for a U.S. visa with this new $250 fee in place, or does it affect your travel plans? Let us know in the comments.

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