The so-called “one big beautiful bill,” signed into law on July 4th, has planned a new $250 visa integrity fee that will be added in addition to the existing visa fees for non-immigrant visas.
Once implemented, visitors from certain countries traveling to the US for tourist, business or other short-term purposes must pay in advance on their visa application.
The bill states that this additional fee will be refunded after the visit, provided that it complies with all the visa provisions. In a notice released today by the Department of Homeland Security, agents said they have not yet implemented visa integrity fees, citing the need for interagency coordination before they can be implemented. So far, the official implementation date should still be determined.
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Furthermore, uncertainty surrounds the refund process after visitors leave. Some non-immigrant visas are valid for years, but refunds can only be processed after the visa has expired. There is no refund system currently in place, so you will need to create one to begin processing your integrity fee refunds. For Americans, that uncertainty alone may be enough to curb the tourism that some states rely on and maintain summer travel expenses in domestic hotspots like Florida and California.
How will the new $250 visa integrity fee affect the economy?
(Image credit: Getty Images)
New visa integrity fees apply to countries that are not the US visa waiver program. That list includes most of South America, Africa and Asia. It also includes Canada and Mexico, which accounted for more than half of international visitors to the US in the first quarter of 2025, according to preliminary data from the International Trade Agency (ITA).
That same data shows that the number of visitors from many of these regions has already declined before the new rates came into effect in 2025. The US can see the number drop even further when $250 is added to existing visa fees for these tourists.
As the integrity fees for the new visa are not yet substantial, it is difficult to estimate the impact this will have on the national economy. However, one estimate by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) shows that the US is on track to lose $12.5 billion in tourist dollars from a decline in international visitors.
Based on the same preliminary ITA data mentioned above, the states where the losses are most likely to feel the most losses are Florida, New York and California. However, many other states also show significant flooding of tourists.
How do visa integrity fees affect domestic travel?
One of the potential silver linings for American travelers: cheaper travel costs for destinations in the US. The June Travel Price Index issued by the American Travel Association shows that overall inflation rates rose in June, but travel-related costs actually fell 0.7% that month.
In a deeper dive, airfares fell 3.5% compared to the same month last year, while hotel prices fell 3.6%. Gas prices technically rose 1% between May and June, but the national average is 8.2% lower than last year.
If even uncertainty about new visa integrity fees and its implementation is caused by more international visitors to avoid the US, a decline in demand can keep travel costs lower than usual during peak summer travel season. So now is the time to erase domestic destinations for the bucket list.
Tips for planning a budget-friendly summer vacation in the US
If you’re likely to have fewer crowds and lower prices, here are some tips to maximize your savings while planning the perfect summer road trip or weekend getaway.
Use your Travel Rewards card to earn points on flights, accommodation and spending you make during your holidays. That way, this year’s trip will also help you pay for next year’s adventures. If you’re driving, compare memberships to Costco, Walmart, Amazon and more to offer discounts to save on gas. You can also plan the perfect route to your budget by visiting the cheapest states for a road trip. Summer is the peak season in many places, but you can save money by avoiding major holidays and special events. If you are a veteran or currently serving in the military, don’t forget to take advantage of all summer travel deals booked just for you. This includes free or discounted admissions, accommodation discounts and more. I’ll check the weather. Hurricanes, floods and fires all become frequent in the summer. If you book too much in advance and are checking what the weather will be during your stay, make sure you have travel insurance that includes “cancel for some reason.” This will allow you to get a refund if the storm or fire department forces you to change your plans.
