Pointing out a hidden fee that targets foreign travel to the U.S., critics warn that Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” will not be so beautiful for the tourism industry, that’s predicted to tank by up to $12.5 billion by the end of 2025.
President Donald Trump has proudly touted his newly signed legislation as “One Big Beautiful Bill” – a sweeping package packed with headline-grabbing promises like no taxes on tips, expanded child tax credits, steep cuts to Medicaid, and temporary tax breaks for seniors.
But buried beneath the bold claims and buzzwords is a lesser-known provision that could pack a punch for international visitors: the visa integrity fee.
And while it hasn’t dominated the headlines – yet – this quiet addition could have a major impact on U.S. tourism and foreign travel to the States, that’s already seeing a steep decline.
Tourism takes a huge hit
According to CNBC, research published by Oxford Economics reveals that “spending from foreign visitors to the U.S. is poised to fall by $8.5 billion [in 2025] as negative perceptions tied to trade and immigration policy lead overseas tourists to look elsewhere.”
But other estimates predict the loss to be far greater.
The World Travel & Tourism Council reports that the U.S. economy “is on track to lose a staggering $12.5 billion in international visitor spending” in 2025, a “direct blow to the U.S. economy overall, impacting communities, jobs, and businesses from coast to coast.”
Not so beautiful
And now, the industry is expected to further weaken under Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, that includes a hidden fee – a visa integrity fee – for some people travelling to the United States from other countries.
Foreign nationals who aren’t eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) – including tourists, business travelers, and international students – will now face an extra charge when applying for a non-immigrant visa to enter the U.S.
The cost of beautiful
According to CNBC, for the fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025), the fee starts at $250 – but that’s just the baseline. The Secretary of Homeland Security has the power to set a higher amount, and future adjustments will account for inflation.
The new fee is in addition to the current visa costs, which already includes an application fee, and the recently increased Form I-94 fee, which jumped from $6 to $24 under the same bill.
Analysts believe the move is designed to discourage visa overstays, essentially acting as a compliance deposit. But skeptics say it could have unintended consequences for an already struggling tourism sector.
Deters global travelers
Though the White House celebrated the bill as a win for hardworking Americans and a streamlined immigration system, critics say this new cost could deter global travelers and add to the growing financial burden of visiting the U.S., ABC reports.
Erik Hansen, senior VP of government relations at U.S. Travel, didn’t mince words: “Cost and visa wait times” are “among the top deterrents” for visiting the U.S., he said.
He slammed the new visa integrity fee, warning that it “increases the upfront costs of visiting the U.S. 144%, while doing nothing to lower interview wait times.”
“Even if it is technically reimbursable, the added complexity and cost will discourage visitors,” Hansen said.
‘Significant challenges’
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the U.S. Travel Association warned that vague details and a lack of guidance around the policy have created “significant challenges and unanswered questions regarding implementation.”
“There is no timeline for implementation of the fee or direction as to how the fee will be collected and refunded,” the U.S. Travel Association added.
“If you get it back, great. But it is usually difficult to get money back from the government,” Steven A. Brown, a partner at the Houston-based immigration lawyer, told CNBC. “I would rather them view it as a ‘bonus’ if they get the refund.”
Exempt countries
The official U.S. government site lists several nations under the VWP, meaning citizens of the following countries can visit the U.S. “for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.”
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
As travelers brace for potential new costs, critics argue that Trump’s “beautiful” bill may come at an ugly price – especially for those hoping to visit the U.S. without breaking the bank.
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