US Dream Becomes Costlier: Trump Hikes Visa Fees, Impact on Indians
Hyderabad, 9 July – (www.deccanlive.com): The Trump administration in the US has announced a big change in visa rules under the “One Big Beautiful Bill”. Now, all non-immigrant visa applicants will have to pay an extra \$250 Visa Integrity Fee, which is about ₹21,000. This will make going to the US more expensive for students, IT professionals, and tourists. The rule will start from 2026.
Who Will Be Affected?
This new rule will directly affect millions of Indians who travel to the US every year:
- H-1B visa holders (mostly Indian IT professionals going for jobs)
- F and M visa holders (Indian students going to study)
- B-1/B-2 visa holders (tourists and business travelers)
Currently, Indians pay \$185 for a B-1/B-2 visa. After the new fee, they will pay \$250, which is about 2.5 times more.
Even Students Not Spared
Indian students already struggling with high tuition fees, living costs, and the strong US dollar will now also have to pay this extra fee when applying for F or M student visas.
Impact on H-1B Professionals
Thousands of Indian IT professionals travel to the US every year on H-1B visas. They will also have to pay this new fee.
Although this \$250 amount will work like a security deposit, it can only be refunded under strict conditions, such as:
- Leaving the US on time
- Not changing visa status
- Not overstaying the visa before getting a Green Card
Refunds will not be automatic. Applicants must provide proof and documents to get it back.
Fee Will Keep Increasing
The fee will be linked to the inflation rate (CPI), so it will increase every year.
The US government says this step is to make sure people follow immigration laws and stop visa overstays.
However, experts believe this will create financial problems, especially for Indians who follow the rules and come legally.
