As the United States prepares to host some of the biggest international events in the coming years—including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles—the travel and tourism industry is raising red flags about a new $250 visa integrity fee that could significantly affect international visitor numbers.
A Costly Hurdle for Travelers
This additional visa fee, which applies to most nonimmigrant visa applicants, comes on top of the existing $185 visa application charge, pushing the cost to $435 per traveler. Critics argue this will create an unnecessary financial barrier for tourists and families planning to visit the U.S., especially during a time when the country is relying on global events to boost tourism revenue.
While citizens from the 42 countries part of the Visa Waiver Program are exempt, the fee will impact the majority of the world’s travelers—many of whom already face visa backlogs and high airfare due to global inflation.
Why This Matters for U.S. Tourism
The fee comes at a critical juncture. Next year, the U.S. will mark its 250th birthday, followed closely by two massive sporting events that are expected to draw over 21 million international visitors.
But instead of welcoming the world with open arms, travel advocates say the U.S. might be closing the door—just when global tourism is slowly rebounding after the pandemic.
“This is nothing more than a cynical junk fee that attempts to steal money from travelers—money that would otherwise go to U.S. businesses,” said Geoff Freeman, CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, in a recent statement to Axios.
Freeman noted that for a family of four, the new cost could total over $1,000, making the U.S. a less attractive destination compared to countries with lower entry fees and more welcoming policies.
Travel Trends and the Bigger Picture
According to the latest U.S. Travel Association (USTA) data:
- International visits were down 5% in June 2025 compared to the previous year.
- For the first half of 2025, inbound tourism saw a 2.9% decline.
- Rising costs and a strong U.S. dollar are pushing international travelers to choose more affordable destinations in Asia, Europe, and South America.
The industry had hoped that upcoming mega-events would help the U.S. tourism sector bounce back. The 2026 World Cup, co-hosted with Canada and Mexico across 16 cities, is expected to attract 6.5 million fans, while the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles is projected to bring in over 15 million visitors.
But with rising travel costs and new administrative hurdles, experts fear this opportunity may slip away.
What’s in the New Law?
The new visa integrity fee is part of a broader legislative package and is expected to roll out in fiscal year 2025 (starting October 1, 2025), though exact implementation details remain unclear.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that:
- The State Department will issue approximately 120 million nonimmigrant visas between 2025 and 2034.
- The new fee could generate up to $28.9 billion in revenue during that period.
While the legislation includes a reimbursement clause, legal experts like Laura Wong, an immigration attorney at KPMG Canada, warn that the process for claiming refunds is not yet transparent, and the CBO expects only a small number of applicants will seek reimbursement.
Visa Bond Pilot Program Also Incoming
As if the new fee weren’t enough, the U.S. government is also introducing a visa bond pilot program, modeled after a Trump-era proposal from 2020 that was shelved during the pandemic.
Under this 12-month program starting August 20, 2025:
- Travelers from certain countries with high visa overstay rates will be required to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000.
- The bond aims to ensure that travelers return to their home country after their permitted stay.
- The State Department expects about 2,000 travelers to be affected during the pilot, generating roughly $20 million in refundable deposits.
This measure is being introduced alongside the fee, raising more concerns within the global travel community.
Tourism Leaders Call for Rethink
Industry insiders are urging U.S. policymakers to reconsider both the fee and the bond program, especially given their potential impact on tourism and international goodwill.
“International travelers already face steep costs, long wait times, and complex documentation requirements,” said Freeman. “Now, they’re being asked to pay even more—during a time when we should be rolling out the red carpet, not the red tape.”
If not revised, the measures may drive international visitors to other welcoming destinations, such as Canada, Australia, or countries in the EU—many of which are investing heavily in global tourism campaigns to attract the same audience.
The Bottom Line
With the world watching and millions planning trips to the U.S. for once-in-a-generation events, the travel industry warns that the timing of the visa integrity fee couldn’t be worse.
For now, travel agents, global tour companies, and foreign nationals are waiting for clarity on how and when the fee will be implemented—and hoping that common sense prevails before it affects what could be America’s most promising tourism era.
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