On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law H.R. 1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” a sweeping budget measure that includes significant changes to immigration-related fees. While the law’s title made headlines, many employers and foreign nationals may not yet realize how the legislation will directly impact the cost of U.S. immigration processes.

This article breaks down the two most consequential new fees: the Visa Integrity Fee and the I-94 Fee, and also summarizes several other upcoming surcharges. These fees are in addition to existing visa and immigration fees and, while approved, they are not yet in effect. Implementation will occur only after the relevant agencies publish formal notices, likely in the Federal Register.

Please note, when we discuss “visa” in this article, we are using the term to discuss the visa stamp/foil issued by Department of State that allows for an individual to seek entry to the United States. These fees do not, as of now, apply to any petitions filed through USCIS.

Visa Integrity Fee – $250 Added to Every U.S. Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance

The law introduces a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee that will be charged each time a nonimmigrant visa is issued. This applies across all categories—including H-1B, L-1, O-1, F-1, B-1/B-2, and J-1—and will be payable by every visa applicant when their visa is approved.

• Amount: $250 per visa issued
• Who pays: All nonimmigrant visa applicants at the time of visa issuance
• Frequency: Per visa issuance (e.g., for each new visa stamp)
• Effective date: Not yet implemented; awaiting announcement
• Waivers: Not permitted under the law

This fee does not replace existing fees. For example, an H-1B worker already paying a $205 application fee may now expect to pay a total of $455 once this fee is in place.

A Possible Compliance-Based Refund?

Uniquely, the Visa Integrity Fee includes a provision for a potential refund—a concept not typically seen in immigration fee structures. If a visa holder fully complies with the terms of their visa, the government may refund the $250 Visa Integrity Fee.

To qualify for the refund, the individual must (and note, we are waiting for official guidance):

• Abide by all terms and conditions of their nonimmigrant status;
• Timely depart the United States when their authorized stay ends (including within a designated grace period, if applicable); or
• Legally adjust or extend their status within the United States without falling out of status at any point.

The intent behind this refund provision is to incentivize compliance with U.S. immigration laws by treating the $250 as a refundable security deposit—essentially rewarding those who follow the rules.

However, the law leaves several critical details unresolved:

• Who will determine compliance (likely DHS) and how that determination will be made;
• What documentation or forms will be required to initiate the refund process;
• How long it will take for a refund to be processed and paid;
• Whether there will be a deadline or statute of limitations for applying for a refund after departure or status change;
• And whether employers (who sometimes cover visa-related costs) will be able to recoup this amount or only the individual visa holder.

It is important to note that the refund is not automatic. The burden will likely fall on the visa holder to prove compliance and affirmatively request the refund through a future process that DHS has yet to define.

Until those procedures are announced, employers and foreign nationals should treat the $250 Visa Integrity Fee as a non-refundable upfront cost and plan accordingly. If a refund becomes viable in the future, it may provide an added benefit—but for now, it remains a theoretical incentive awaiting implementation guidelines.

I-94 Fee – $24 for Arrival/Departure Record

The Form I-94 is the official record of a foreign national’s admission to the United States. While most travelers arriving by air or sea receive this record electronically, others—especially those entering by land—are issued paper I-94s and have historically paid a small processing fee.

Under the new law, a $24 fee will be required for each issuance of Form I-94:

• Amount: $24 per I-94 issued
• Who pays: Likely to apply to land border entrants and possibly others (details pending)
• Current land border fee: $6 (increased by this law to $24)
• Waivers: Not permitted
• Effective date: Not yet implemented; agency rulemaking expected

The statute is broadly written and could be interpreted to apply even to air arrivals, depending on how DHS chooses to implement it. For now, implementation details have not been announced. Employers and foreign nationals should monitor agency guidance to determine if this fee will be expanded beyond land borders.

Other Notable Immigration-Related Fees

In addition to the two headline fees, the law includes a wide range of new charges:

ESTA Authorization Fee

• Increased to $40
• Applies to travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries

EVUS Registration (China)

• Increased to $30
• For Chinese citizens holding 10-year visitor visas

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Fees

• $500 TPS application fee
• $550 for initial EAD, $275 for renewals

Asylum Application and EAD Fees

• $100 annually for pending asylum applications
• $550 for initial EAD, $275 for renewals

Humanitarian Parole Fees

• $1,000 parole application fee
• $550 for initial parole-based EAD, $275 for renewals

Immigration Court Filing Fees

• $1,500 for Adjustment of Status
• $600 for Cancellation of Removal
• $900 for most appeals and motions
• Courts may waive these fees for indigent applicants

What Comes Next?

Although all of these fees are now law, none are currently being charged. Agencies including DHS, USCIS, CBP, and the Department of State must first publish implementation procedures—through Federal Register notices—before the fees take effect. Given that they are provided by law, it should be expected that these go in with a limited comment period so implementation can be done quickly.

Until those notices are issued:

• Visa applicants do not need to pay the $250 Visa Integrity Fee
• Travelers entering the U.S. do not need to pay the $24 I-94 Fee
• Other new fees, including for humanitarian benefits, are not yet required

The government has signaled that some of these new fees will be rolled out “soon,” but specific start dates have not yet been confirmed. Employers and foreign nationals should anticipate higher immigration costs in the near future and begin adjusting budgets and expectations accordingly.

Final Thoughts

This new suite of immigration fees marks a significant shift in how U.S. immigration programs are funded. Many of the surcharges—especially those applied to vulnerable populations like asylum seekers and TPS beneficiaries—are unprecedented.

For now, the best course of action is preparation. Stay informed, anticipate higher costs, and monitor agency announcements closely. We will continue to provide timely updates as new rules are issued. If you have questions about how these changes may affect your immigration plans or business operations, our team is here to help.

Reddy Neumann Brown PC located in Houston, Texas, has been serving the business immigration community for over 25 years and is Houston’s largest immigration law firm focused solely on U.S. Employment-based and investor-based immigration. We work with employers, employees and investors helping them navigate the immigration process quickly and cost-effectively.

By: Steven Brown

Steven A. Brown is a Partner at Reddy Neumann Brown PC, where he leads the firm’s Litigation Team, addressing delays and denials of immigration benefits, FOIA requests, and policy and regulatory challenges. Steven is dedicated to delivering practical and effective solutions for clients facing unreasonably delayed or unlawfully withheld immigration benefits, including Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), advance parole, green cards, 221(g) decisions, EB-5 delays, and other immigration-related matters. His litigation efforts were instrumental in Shergill, et al. v. Mayorkas, a landmark case that led to the U.S. government recognizing that under the INA, L-2 and E visa spouses are authorized to work incident to their status, eliminating the need for separate EAD applications. This case has transformed work authorization for thousands of families across the United States.