【Text by Observers Network, Wang Yong, Editor: Zhao Qiankun】
According to the large-scale tax and spending bill issued by the Trump administration (also known as the "Big and Beautiful" bill), the United States will impose an additional $250 "Visa Integrity Fee" on tourists, students, and business people applying for non-immigrant visas. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security can also set the fee higher on its own, and this fee applies to most people who need a non-immigrant visa to enter the country, and must be paid when the visa is issued, with no exemptions.
According to reports from multiple media outlets including CNBC, Cntraveler website, and Forbes magazine, due to the increase in U.S. visa fees, travel to the United States is about to become more expensive. As part of the Trump administration's "Big and Beautiful" bill, this means that any ordinary traveler applying for entry into the United States must pay a $250 "Visa Integrity Fee," including all student visas, work visas, and tourist visas, and this expense is an additional fee on top of other visa fees.
The report stated that this new fee will be implemented before major global events such as the 2026 World Cup (the World Cup will be jointly bid by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with the opening ceremony and opening match held in Mexico on June 11, 2026, and the final match held in the United States on July 19, 2026). Although the specific date when the fee will start to be charged has not been determined, American tourism professionals have generally believed that this additional fee for foreign travelers will further reduce the number of tourists traveling to the United States.
A U.S. airport entrance channel, UK The Guardian
Since 2025, the number of tourists arriving at world-famous tourist destinations such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago has been sharply declining compared to last year. It's not just one country losing interest in the United States, but a trend. In the first half of 2025, data from the U.S. tourism industry painted a shocking picture of a decline in international tourists' interest in the United States in the history of the country.
In June this year, a study by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) analyzed the current status of tourism development in 184 countries and regions, and the results showed that the United States is the only country expected to see a decrease in international tourist spending in 2025.
According to the study, the WTTC expects the United States to lose $12.5 billion (or even more) in international tourist spending this year compared to last year.
Julia Simpson, President and CEO of the WTTC, said, "While other countries and regions are opening their arms and warmly welcoming international tourists, the U.S. government has put up a 'closed' sign. The tariffs, travel bans, inappropriate statements, and increasingly strict immigration visa policies of the Trump administration have had a 'chilling effect' on tourists, and there is little indication of reversal so far."
The aforementioned media reports mentioned that after the Trump administration signed the bill to charge international travelers a $250 "Visa Integrity Fee," the U.S. Travel Association expressed "deep concern" and warned that this act of blocking tourists would "seriously affect every aspect of our industry."
Jeff Freeman, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement that charging these new fees was a "stupid" move.
Freeman said, "Raising fees for international tourists is equivalent to imposing a tariff on our country's tourism consumption. These fees will only hinder international tourists from visiting the United States."
The media reports mentioned that the fee is similar to a deposit, aimed at encouraging compliance with U.S. immigration rules and ensuring that visa holders are responsible for their actions during their stay in the United States. While the added fee may help prevent visa overstays, it will also limit or even block opportunities for cultural exchange and education, as this "Visa Integrity Fee" adds an economic burden to travelers.
The report mentioned that there are reports that the fee can be refunded in certain situations, but the refund conditions are very strict. In addition, the refund is not automatically granted; applicants must submit complete supporting documents for their refund applications, including official records of timely departure or proof of approved changes in immigration status, which significantly increases the difficulty of the refund application.
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Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7528735494231884322/
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