US to triple visa cost for Indians in 2026; apply now to avoid ₹20,000 hike

Starting 2026, Indians planning to travel to the United States will have to pay a steep increase in visa fees. A new $250 non-refundable Visa Integrity Fee will apply to all visitor, student, and work visa categories, including the widely used B-1/B-2 tourist visa. The total cost will jump from $185 to nearly $472 (₹40,000).

The hike stems from a new law signed by US President Joe Biden on July 4 as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, aimed at strengthening immigration enforcement and visa compliance.

What will it cost from 2026?
Visa applicants from India will have to pay the following charges from January 1, 2026:

• $185 – Standard visa application fee (unchanged)
  
  
• $250 – Visa Integrity Fee (new)
  
  
• $24 – I-94 arrival/departure form fee
  
  
• $13–$30 – Additional costs (like ESTA or EVUS), depending on category
  
  

Together, the typical B-1/B-2 visa cost will rise from $185 to $472, nearly 2.5 times the present amount.

Why is the US adding the Integrity Fee?
The Visa Integrity Fee is a mandatory deposit to ensure visitors follow the rules of their visa — including timely departure, no overstay, and no illegal work. It is non-waivable and non-refundable if the traveller violates any rule.

US lawmakers have positioned it as a safeguard to maintain trust in the visa system. Funds collected from unrefunded fees will go into the US Treasury.

How does this affect Indians?
The change will hit Indian travellers the most, as India is one of the largest sources of tourists, students, and tech workers for the US.

Visa categories impacted include:

• B-1/B-2 – Tourist and business visitors
  
  
• F-1 – Students
  
  
• H-1B – Skilled professionals
  
  
• J-1 – Exchange visitors
  
  

IT companies that sponsor large numbers of H-1B visas may also see rising costs.

Apply in 2025 to save up to ₹20,000
Indians who apply for a US visa before December 31, 2025, will avoid the $250 Integrity Fee. The current application fee of $185 (~₹15,600) will continue until the end of 2025.

Those who are already planning travel in 2026 are advised to pre-schedule visa appointments and pay the fee in 2025, even if their journey begins later. The fee is locked in at the time of application payment, not travel date.