United States Tightens Visa Rules, Raising Costs for Millions

 

The United States has announced sweeping changes to its visa system. The rules, linked to President Donald Trump’s renewed push for tougher immigration enforcement, will affect tourists, students, workers, and green card applicants across the world — with a sharp impact in India.

Tourist and Business Visa Bonds

From 20 August, applicants from countries with high overstay rates may have to pay a refundable bond of between $5,000 and $15,000. The aim is to reduce visa violations in countries with weak documentation systems. Zambia and Malawi are the first to be named under the program, with more countries expected to follow. Officials can waive the bond in some cases.

$250 Integrity Fee

Beginning in 2026, most non-immigrant visa categories — including tourist, student, work, and exchange programs — will include a $250 integrity fee. This fee acts like a deposit and is returned if the traveller leaves the United States on time or changes status legally. Diplomats, Canadians, and citizens from visa waiver countries will be exempt.

Tougher Marriage-Based Green Card Checks

From 1 August, couples applying for marriage-based green cards must present stronger evidence of a genuine relationship. This includes joint financial records, photographs, travel documents, and personal correspondence. In-person interviews will be required more often. Officials will examine past immigration history more closely, and even approved petitions will not block removal if other grounds for deportation exist. These measures apply to both new and pending applications.

Extra Fees on Top of the Integrity Fee

A bill signed on 4 July adds more non-refundable charges:

• $24 I-94 fee for all immigrant visa holders

• $13 ESTA fee for visa waiver travellers

• $30 EVUS fee for Chinese nationals with 10-year tourist or business visas

These will add significantly to the cost of travel, especially for applicants from developing countries.

Mandatory In-Person Interviews Return

From 2 September, nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants, including children under 14 and seniors over 79, must attend in-person interviews. This ends the pandemic-era waiver policy. The rule covers the B1/B2 tourist and business visas, student visas in the F and M categories, work visas such as the H1B, and exchange visitor visas in the J category. Limited exemptions remain, but consular officers can require interviews at their discretion.

Impact on Indian Travellers

Indian tourists and business visitors will be among the most affected. The cost of a U.S. visa could rise from $185 to about $472 when adding the integrity fee, the I-94 fee, and the standard application charge. Indian students, workers, and families may face longer wait times and heavier documentation demands.

The U.S. government says these changes will stop visa abuse and improve border security. Critics say they will discourage genuine travellers, raise costs unfairly, and increase pressure on legal immigrants. Some experts warn of a drop in international student numbers, reduced tourism, and more complex family reunification cases.

The direction is clear: entering the United States will now be more costly, more complicated, and for many, more uncertain.