U.S. introduces $250 visa integrity fee, raising barriers for African applicants

This fee is an inside part of the recently signed One Big Beautiful Bill Act, enacted by U.S. lawmakers on July 4, 2025, and is expected to take effect later this year.

According to immigration legal firm Envoy Global, the new fee will apply to any foreign national issued a nonimmigrant visa, particularly from an African country, whether as a student, tourist, temporary worker or business visitor.

The $250 “visa integrity fee” is non-waivable and non-reducible, and will be charged in addition to existing visa-related fees, including machine-readable visa (MRV) application fees, anti-fraud fees, and reciprocity fees.

This means a single visa application for a Nigerian, Ghanaian, or Kenyan citizen could now cost as much as $500, excluding documentation and travel expenses.

African students applying for F-1 and F-2 visas, exchange visitors on J-1 and J-2 visas, and professionals applying for H1-B and H-4 temporary work visas will all be subject to the new levy, likewise African tourists visiting family or attending events in the U.S. will bear the increased cost.

Notably, citizens from 42 countries, mostly in Europe, Canada, Bermuda, and a few Asian and Gulf nations, are exempt under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program.

These travellers won’t be affected if visiting for under 90 days. In contrast, African nations are entirely excluded from the program, perpetuating the continent’s disadvantage in terms of access and mobility.

As the U.S. prepares to host major global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, experts warn that the recent visa fee hike could significantly reduce international attendance, particularly from countries in Africa, South America, Asia, and the Middle East.

These countries already face long waiting periods and high visa denial rates, which could worsen with the added financial burden.

Although the U.S. claims the funds from the fee will go into the Treasury’s general fund, there’s no indication that the money will be reinvested in improving consular services or reducing processing delays, a longstanding challenge for African applicants.

Even while there are claims that the fee is refundable, there are no guarantees or clear mechanisms for reimbursement.

Geoff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, has strongly criticized the new rule, calling it “a self-inflicted wound.” He emphasized the psychology behind the hike, stating that,

“These fees are not reinvested in improving the travel experience and do nothing but discourage visitation at a time when foreign travellers are already concerned about the welcome experience and high prices”

For many Africans, including students seeking education, entrepreneurs pursuing U.S. business opportunities, families reuniting, or tourists exploring cultural exchange, the new fee presents both a financial barrier and a symbolic message.

As global discussions on travel equity and visa reform continue, the U.S. appears to be moving in the opposite direction, erecting higher walls when the world is calling for more bridges.