Visa Shockwave: The New US Visa Fee Tourist Entry Now Costs ₹40,000+ for Indians Under New Law

What’s Changing: The New US Visa Fee Breakdown for Indians

As of July 2025, the US government has passed a sweeping immigration reform law titled the “One Big Beautiful Bill”, which introduces two new mandatory charges for non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students, and professionals.

Here’s how the new fee structure looks for Indian citizens applying for a B-2 tourist visa:

That’s a 148% increase from the previous cost of ₹15,886. The Visa Integrity Fee, described as a security deposit, is refundable only if the traveler fully complies with visa conditions—such as leaving the US on time and not violating terms. The I-94 fee tracks entry and exit data for all foreign nationals.

Note: These fees will increase annually based on the US Consumer Price Index (CPI), meaning future hikes are inevitable.

Why the Hike? Inside the “One Big Beautiful Bill”

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the “One Big Beautiful Bill” aims to:

• Tighten visa monitoring
• Reduce overstays and misuse of non-immigrant visas
• Fund border security and data tracking systems

The Visa Integrity Fee is designed to act as a deterrent against visa violations, encouraging travelers to follow rules or risk losing their deposit. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will manage the collection and refund process.

While diplomats and select visa categories are exempt, most Indian travelers—including those applying for B-1/B-2 (business/tourism), F-1 (students), and H-1B (professionals)—will be affected.

Full breakdown of the new visa charges

How This Impacts Indian Travelers and Tourism

The fee hike is expected to dampen travel enthusiasm, especially among budget-conscious tourists and students. Here’s what it means:

🔹 For Tourists:

• A short leisure trip to the US now requires ₹40,000+ upfront, excluding airfare and accommodation.
• Families applying together will face multiplying costs, making US vacations less accessible.

🔹 For Students:

• The hike adds to existing expenses like SEVIS fees, university deposits, and living costs.
• Many may reconsider destinations like Canada, Australia, or Europe, which offer more affordable visa options.

🔹 For Professionals:

• H-1B and other work visa applicants will also pay the new charges, increasing the cost of employment-based migration.
• Companies may need to reimburse visa fees, adding to hiring costs.

Despite the hike, the visa application process remains unchanged. Indian citizens must still:

1. Complete the DS-160 form
2. Pay the visa fee via NEFT, UPI, IMPS, or bank counter
3. Schedule biometric and consular interviews
4. Submit documents proving financial stability, travel intent, and ties to India

🔗 Step-by-step guide to applying for a US tourist visa

Conclusion:
The US tourist visa fee hike is more than a financial adjustment, it’s a strategic shift in how America manages its borders and visitors. For Indian travellers, the new ₹40,000+ price tag may prompt a rethink of travel plans, especially as global tourism rebounds post-pandemic. Whether this leads to better compliance or reduced footfall remains to be seen but one thing’s clear: visiting the US just got a lot more expensive.

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