Many vacationers to the U.S. at the moment are topic to a brand new $250 “visa integrity price,” a part of the tax cuts and spending regulation signed by President Trump on July 4.
The price is efficient within the present federal fiscal yr, which started on Oct. 1, 2024, and ends on Sept. 30, 2025, in keeping with the text of the One Huge Lovely Invoice Act. For subsequent years, the quantity will likely be adjusted for inflation, the regulation states.
The price applies to guests who come to the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas, corresponding to overseas college students attending American universities or employees who obtain non permanent work visas corresponding to the H-1B, which is commonly utilized by firms to rent overseas engineers or different expert employees.
In 2023, the U.S. issued greater than 10 million nonimmigrant visas, in keeping with data from the U.S. State Division.
Visa holders subjected to the price might later be reimbursed so long as they adjust to their visa’s restrictions, corresponding to leaving the U.S. inside 5 days of the visa’s expiration, in keeping with the brand new regulation. Nonetheless, the regulation would not specify how visa holders might apply for reimbursement of the price, nor how the price will likely be collected.
“The visa integrity price requires cross-agency coordination earlier than implementation,” a spokesperson for the Division of Homeland Safety instructed CBS MoneyWatch in an e mail. “President Trump’s One Huge Lovely Invoice supplies the mandatory insurance policies and sources to revive integrity in our nation’s immigration system,” it added.
Provided that price is not but set as much as be collected, it is unclear whether or not the visa integrity price will likely be retroactive. The Division of Homeland Safety did not instantly reply to a query about whether or not the price can be collected retroactively.
Price for asylum seekers
The brand new price will add to the hurdles dealing with immigrants, in keeping with the American Immigration Council, a nonpartisan assume tank targeted on immigration points. It famous the brand new invoice additionally consists of extra new expenses, together with a brand new $100 price for folks making use of for asylum.
“These charges, lots of that are licensed to be layered on high of present charges, are largely necessary, successfully placing authorized pathways out of attain for 1000’s of individuals,” the group said in a July 14 assertion.
As an illustration, scholar visa candidates already should pay an $185 software price and a $350 price for the Scholar and Change Customer Program. The extra $250 price will deliver their whole value to $785.
Individuals looking for asylum within the U.S., who beforehand might apply for that designation totally free, might face whole submitting charges of greater than $1,150 beneath the brand new regulation, in keeping with the American Immigration Council.
Many vacationers to the U.S. do not require visas because of the Visa Waiver Program, which permits residents of greater than 40 nations — starting from Australia to the U.Ok. — to enter the U.S. for fewer than 90 days and not using a visa.
