Millions of travellers heading to the US will be slugged with a US$250 ($380) ‘visa integrity fee’ as part of Trump’s so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’.
From late 2025, the US government will start charging the fee to scores of foreign nationals applying for a visa after Trump signed off on the tax cuts and spending law on July 4.
The fee will apply to B-tourist visas, student visas as well as the H-1B visa, which is most commonly used by companies to hire overseas skilled workers.
Those seeking asylum will also be required to pay additional $100 on top of existing fees.
The US government indicated that travellers who have paid the fee, may be later eligible for reimbursement if they do not breach their visa conditions.
The changes will not apply to ESTA applications, which allow citizens of certain countries, including Australia, to travel to the US for or up to 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program.
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It comes amid US President Donald Trump’s move to resurrect the travel ban policy from his first term.
Recently, he signed a proclamation preventing people from a dozen countries from entering the United States.
The countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
In addition to the ban, which came into effect in June, there will be heightened restrictions on visitors from Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
