Uncle Sam wants more money from foreign travelers. The United States has imposed a hefty new $250 “visa integrity fee” on international visitors through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed July 4, 2025. This controversial charge hits virtually all non-immigrant visa holders—tourists, students, temporary workers—from countries outside the Visa Waiver Program. Implementation isn’t immediate, though. Government agencies need time to establish collection mechanisms, with most experts expecting the fee to kick in October 1, 2025. “The visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation,” a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told CBS News. Travelers from 42 Visa Waiver Program … Continue reading New $250 U.S. Visa Fee to Generate $28.9 Billion While Tourism Marketing Budget Slashed by 80%