U.S. Visa Fees for Indians to Triple by 2026 — Apply Early to Save ₹20,000

A Big Jump Is Coming, And It’s Not Jet Lag

From January 1, 2026, all Indian applicants seeking a visa to the U.S. will need to pay a new, non-refundable Visa Integrity Fee of $250. That adds over ₹20,000 to your visa application bill.

That means the total amount you pay for a standard B-1/B-2 visa will go up from $185 to $472 – a jump of 2.5x. The new rule is based on the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which was enshrined in law to tighten up visa compliance.

Here is what the new charges will look like:

• $185 – Standard Visa Application Fee (this stays the same as before)
• $250 – Visa Integrity Fee (new charge)
• $24 – I-94 Arrival / Departure form charge
• $13-$30 – charges for additional specific category fees (for ESTA or EVUS, etc.)

Total:  ~$472 (₹40,000)

And yes, that’s for each applicant – tourist, students, or professional, etc.

Who’s Impacted?

In short, almost everyone applying from India:

• B-1/B-2 – Tourist & business visas
• F-1 – Student visas
• H-1B – Skilled worker visas
• J-1 – Exchange visitor visas

Indian IT firms, students heading to U.S. universities, and families planning summer holidays will all feel the pinch.

Why Is The U.S. Charging This Integrity Fee?

According to the U.S. government, it is simply about accountability. The new Visa Integrity Fee strives to:

• Deter overstays
• Have people conduct themselves lawfully during their stay
• Improve compliance with the overall visa.

It is non-waivable and non-refundable if the traveller violates any rule.

How Can Indian Applicants Avoid the U.S. Visa Fee Hike?

Simply apply prior to December 31, 2025.

Visa costs are frozen at the time of payment, not at the time of travel. So even if you are travelling in 2026, as long as you pay the fee in 2025, you will receive the lower amount.