The United States is rolling out a new travel fee. It is not cheap. 

A provision in the recently-signed Big, Beautiful Bill Act will require thousands of individuals to pay a new ‘visa integrity fee.’ 

There is a $250 fee for anyone entering the US on a nonimmigrant visa, which includes tourists, business travelers, and international students. This charge is applicable only to approved visas.

Travelers who later leave the US and can prove they didn’t overstay their visa may be eligible for reimbursement, according to the law. 

For years, Republicans and Trump officials have argued that taxpayers shouldn’t foot the bill for immigration enforcement and visa processing. 

Supporters say this new fee shifts that cost to travelers — and creates an incentive to follow the rules. 

However, immigration attorneys are objecting, cautioning that the federal government has not clarified when the fee will be implemented or how travelers will be reimbursed.

They also worry the process will require burdensome paperwork and red tape. 

A provision in the recently-signed tax and spending bill will slap a $250 fee on many nonimmigrant visa carriers entering the US

“This fee is meant to be reimbursable after the visa expires, given that the visa holder can demonstrate full compliance,” Loren Locke, an immigration lawyer from Georgia, explained to 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.’  

The fee comes down as international travel to America keeps slowing. And for American vacationers, that’s making it pricier to move around. 

The move comes amid a major slowdown in Canadian border crossings into the US

President Trump signed the bill into law on July 4

Experts worry the law will have unintended impacts on airline companies that are already slashing domestic flight capacity

Leading the way in US travel boycotts is the neighbor to the north: Canada. 

The long-time ally has sparred with the Trump Administration over tariffs, US threats of a takeover, and immigration policy. 

Canadians, who have long been the top international travelers to the US, are instead withholding much of the $20.5 billion they typically spend traveling to the US.

Now, if the visa fee is fully launched, it will likely become even more cost prohibitive for Canadians to come into the US.  

International Airlines, like Air Canada, have already cancelled dozens of US-based trips because of slumping demand.  

Meanwhile, multiple US-based airliners are shutting off the valve of US domestic flights because of cost pressures at home. 

This year, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and Delta Airlines have all said they’re cutting US domestic flights, especially for economy passengers.