WASHINGTON DC: The Trump government has made the announcement to increase “Visa Integrity Fee” by$250 which experts worry will further hit the tourism sector of the United States. The fee will become applicable from October 1, 2025.
US inbound tourism is already reeling under the spate of stringent immigration policies by President Donald Trump and strained diplomatic relations with many nations.
In July, overseas visitors fell by 3.1 percent to 19.2 million, the fifth month of decline in a row this year.
The new charge will be levied on citizens of non-US Visa Waiver Program countries, such as Mexico, Argentina, India, Brazil, and China. When introduced, the cost of a US visa will increase to $442, the highest-priced visa in the world.
Industry associations have expressed concern about the policy’s effect.
The US Travel Association stated that the added expense will put “additional pressure” on the industry, which is trying to bounce back amid worldwide economic woes.
Experts cautioned that even huge future events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the Olympics in Los Angeles might not be enough to make up for the loss.
The World Travel and Tourism Council has estimated that global tourist spending in the US will fall to $169 billion in 2025 from levels in 2024.
Analysts argue that Trump’s policies have already reduced America’s popularity as a travel destination, and the new visa charge could speed up the decline.
