Loren Locke quoted in the Daily Mail about The Big Beautiful Bill's new $250 visa integrity fee

'This fee is supposed to be reimbursable after the expiration of the visa, provided the visa holder can document full compliance,' Loren Locke, a Georgia-based immigration lawyer, told DailyMail.com. 

'Many B1/B2 visitor visas are valid for a full decade. That is a long time to compile and save records, and a long time to wait to get your money back.' 

Meanwhile, visa holders can likely expect costs to rise. 

The law sets a minimum fee of $250 for the 2025 fiscal year, but allows the Department of Homeland Security to raise the amount — and requires it to adjust for inflation.

The increasing cost could have a terrible economic impact, according to Locke.

'Additional fees can deter legitimate travelers while doing little to address actual visa violations,' she said. 

'But the new fee does send a clear message to would-be vacationers: the US government sees you as a potential threat, not as a valued guest.'

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-14919783/travelers-pay-visa-integrity-fee.html