Bad news for Indian students, tourists and H-1B workers! Applying for US visa will become much more expensive from…, MASSIVE charges include…

From 2026, applying for a US visa will change into great extra costly, especially for Indian vacationers, students and H1-B workers. That is on story of a brand new rule signed by US President Donald Trump on July 4, under a legislation called the ‘Big Beautiful Invoice’. It introduces a brand new price called the Visa Integrity Charge.

What's the Visa Integrity Charge?

That is a brand new further price of USD 250 (spherical Rs. 21,400) that will seemingly be added to most kinds of US visa applications.

• You’ll own to pay it when your visa is issued.
• This can delivery up from the yr 2026.
• The price will elevate each yr based on inflation.

Who will want to pay this rate?

Nearly all and sundry who applies for a US non-immigrant visa will want to pay it. This involves:

• Tourist and alternate travellers (B-1/B-2 visa)
• Students (F and M visa)
• Group (H-1B visa)
• Alternate visitors (J visa)

Best folk applying for diplomatic visas (A and G categories) received’t want to pay it.

This means most Indian travellers i.e. students, professionals, and vacationers, will now own to pay a great greater rate.

How great will a US visa label in total?

Good now, a US tourist or alternate visa (B-1/B-2) prices USD 185 (about Rs. 15,800).

From 2026, the total label will encompass:

• USD 185 substandard visa rate
• USD 250 Visa Integrity Charge
• USD 24 I-94 arrival/departure rate
• USD 13 ESTA-connected rate

Entire: USD 472 (about Rs. 40,500) which is better than 2.5 cases basically the most up-to-date label. Whenever you’re applying for a student visa (F or M) or work visa (like H-1B), your prices will moreover fade up sharply.

Can this new visa rate be refunded?

The Visa Integrity Charge is no longer refundable for all and sundry. On the different hand, some folk may earn their money lend a hand, nonetheless most efficient within the occasion that they apply the total visa principles fastidiously.

You can earn money lend a hand if:

• You allow the US within 5 days after your visa expires.
• You legally lengthen your visa or change your visa form (shall we embrace, in case you earn a Green Card).

You is no longer going to earn refund if:

• You overstay your visa.
• You atomize any US visa principles.

Why is US charging this new rate?

The US has added this new rate to assign visitors apply the principles strictly. Call to mind it like a security deposit you earn it lend a hand in case you apply the visa prerequisites. If no longer, you lose it.

The diagram is to pause folk from overstaying or misusing visas. The US Division of Fatherland Security (DHS) will neutral up this new rule. They'll moreover elevate the price yearly based on inflation (rising prices).