Trump Tax Bill Slaps $250 Fee On Visitors To U.S.

A new provision in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” will require all nonimmigrant visa applicants—tourists, business travelers, and international students among them—to pay a “visa integrity fee” currently set at $250, Fortune reported.

The fee cannot be waived or reduced, but reimbursements will be issued after the visa expires.

Travelers who comply with their visa conditions will be eligible for reimbursement. The provision is projected to generate $28.9 billion in revenue over the next decade.

The fee cannot be waived or reduced, but reimbursements will be issued after the visa expires, according to the legislation. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that the Department of State will issue around 120 million nonimmigrant visas.

In 2023 alone, over 10.4 million such visas were granted.

While only a “small number” of people are expected to claim reimbursements—given that many visas are valid for years—CBO still anticipates the fee will raise billions.

The agency also expects the Department of State will need several years to develop a reimbursement system.

Ana Garcia, Senior Equity Analyst at CFRA Research, told Fortune via email that she expects the “vast majority” of travelers will qualify for reimbursement, noting that only 1% to 2% of non-immigrant visitors overstayed their visas between 2016 and 2022, based on U.S. Congressional Research Service data.

“The fee’s design as a refundable security deposit, contingent upon visa compliance, should mitigate concerns among legitimate travelers,” Garcia wrote.

Any unclaimed fees will be deposited into America’s Checkbook, the U.S. government’s general fund.