The government of United States of America plans a comprehensive increase in fees for international visitors. Tourists from countries that are not participating in the so-called Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a US tourist visa. For this group, an additional "Integrity Fee“ of at least 250 US dollars, which could increase the travel costs for a family of four, for example from Brazil, to as much as 1.876 dollars, as the US portal Skift reports.
The “Integrity Fee” is part of a recently passed budget law, but has not yet come into force. Department of Homeland Security is authorized to introduce this fee in the current fiscal year. Starting in fiscal year 2026, which begins on October 1, 2025, the fee will be adjusted annually for inflation. Visitors from over 40 countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program are exempt from this new fee. A special feature is the possibility of a retroactive refund of the fee for authorized visitors, provided they do not overstay by more than five days and do not take up unauthorized employment. However, the exact implementation and timing of the introduction remain to be seen.
In addition to this new visa fee, other entry fees are also affected by increases. The fee for the Form I-94, which is required for entry across land borders, will increase from $6 to $24. This increase affects, among others, travelers from visa-waiver countries, but not U.S. citizens, immigrant visa holders, and most Canadians. This fee is also expected to rise in the future due to inflation. The cost of the electronic travel authorization ESTA AuthorizationThe fee required for visa-free entry will, as already announced, increase from $21 to $40. This new rate is expected to remain in effect until at least 2034, significantly increasing the cost of even short-term stays for guests from countries such as Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.
Proponents of the new fees argue that they would benefit the federal budget. For example, 20 percent of I-94 fees go to land border control, another 20 percent to Customs and Border Protection, and the remainder goes into the state treasury. Of the ESTA revenue, $13 is earmarked for the Department of Homeland Security, $17 for debt reduction, and $XNUMX for tourism promotion through Brand USA. The US travel industry, however, is concerned about the new hurdles. Industry representatives fear that higher fees could deter potential guests, especially before major international events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games. Erik Hansen, Vice President of the US Travel Association, was critical, according to Skift: "We need smarter regulations that strengthen our competitiveness – not ones that make the US less attractive as a travel destination."