US introduces new ‘visa integrity fee’
Those applying for US visas will have to dig deeper into their pockets after the United States government introduced a new $250 (Ksh32,280) Visa Integrity Fee.
Those applying for US visas will have to dig deeper into their pockets after the United States government introduced a new $250 (Ksh32,280) Visa Integrity Fee.
Effective from October 1, the start of U.S. fiscal year 2026, the new fee will be added atop existing visa fees.
The fee applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories, including tourist and business visas, student visas, temporary work, and exchange visitor visas.
Only visa applicants under diplomatic categories A and G, and travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, such as most EU states, Japan, and Canada, are exempt from the fee.
With the additional fee, the total cost for acquiring a visa will exceed $435 (Ksh 56,200), affecting people from lower-income households.
Notably, travelers who depart the US within five days of visa expiration or comply with conditions may be eligible to reclaim the surcharge.
This new move follows another about a month ago, when the US State Department announced enhanced visa screening for foreign students seeking to study in America.
In a statement dated Thursday, June 19, the US Department stated that the enhanced screening would extend to the social media of visa applicants.
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To facilitate the thorough screening, visa applicants will be required to adjust the privacy settings on all of their social media profiles to public.
“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to US national security.
“Under new guidance, we will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants in the F, M, and J nonimmigrant classifications,” read the statement.
The State Department explained that the move was aimed at ensuring that the visas are only awarded to individuals who do not pose a threat to the safety of American citizens.
“The United States must be vigilant during the visa issuance process to ensure that those applying for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans and our national interests, and that all applicants credibly establish their eligibility for the visa sought, including that they intend to engage in activities consistent with the terms for their admission,” the statement added.
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