U.S. introduces $250 visa integrity fee, raising total visa cost to $442 and likely harming travel industry.

A $250 "visa integrity fee" for travelers to the U.S. will take effect on October 1, raising the total visa cost to $442 and potentially deepening the decline in overseas travel. The fee adds to the challenges faced by the travel industry, which has already seen a 3.1% drop in overseas arrivals this year. International visitor spending in the U.S. is projected to fall below $169 billion in 2025, down from $181 billion in 2024. The fee will particularly impact travelers from non-visa waiver countries like Mexico, Argentina, India, Brazil, and China.