[Benjamin]

Brits just got slapped with a massive new visa fee for visiting the US

People visiting the US for more than three months will soon be charged an extra $250, thanks to a new bill

If you’ve ever spent longer than 90 days in the USA, you’ll know that there’s an arduous process to go through before you’re allowed to pass the border. First, you have to figure out what kind of visa you actually need, then there’s a bunch of digital paperwork, an interview with the US embassy and a large application fee for you or your employer to pay. Now, another fee has been added to the process.

Introducing: the visa integrity fee. The extra charge for visitors to the US in part of Donald Trump’s recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (yes, that really is what it’s called). Section 10007 of the Act says: ‘In addition to any other fee authorised by law, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall require the payment of a fee, equal to the amount specified in this subsection, by any alien issued a nonimmigrant visa at the time of such issuance.’

It’ll affect millions of tourists and international student and workers, including those from the UK. This is everything you should know about the new fee.

Will Brits have to pay the visa integrity fee?

Only Brits applying for a ‘non-immigrant visa’ will have to pay the fee. The visa is required for anyone who wants work or study in the country for more than three months.

What is the visa integrity fee?

The visa integrity fee will cost visitors $250 (equivalent to £185.80) on top of the visa application costs already in place. You can get the visa integrity fee back once your visa expires, as long as you have stuck to the permit’s conditions – don’t work illegally and don’t overstay by more than five days. It’s not clear yet how you’ll be able to pay or how you’ll get reimbursed.

When will the visa integrity fee go into effect?

An exact date hasn’t been set yet but the fee is expected to be introduced before the end of this fiscal year, which is September 30, 2025.

Do I need a visa to enter the USA from the UK?

If you’re travelling to the US for less than 90 days, you don’t need a visa. As before, you’ll just need to apply for a visa waiver, aka the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA). It costs £15.60 and is valid for two years. That price may to go up soon, though. Thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill, it’s expected to nearly double to £29.30.

Brits need a non-immigrant visa for temporary travel to the USA longer than three months and a full immigrant visa if you intend to live and work there permanently. You can see the full list of non-immigrant and immigrant visa categories on the US government website.

https://www.timeout.com/uk/news/brit...-the-us-072325