New $250 visa fee introduced in the US

Starting from 2025, a new mandatory fee — the Visa Integrity Fee — has been introduced in the US for all non-immigrant visa applicants, Kursiv Media reported. The corresponding law was signed by Donald Trump.

. The fee amount is $250 (approximately 3,140,000 UZS). This amount will be valid until the end of the 2025 fiscal year (September 30). Afterwards, it may be adjusted for inflation.
. The fee is non-refundable. However, citizens of countries under the Visa Waiver Program — more than 40 countries — are exempt from the fee.
. According to the US Travel Association, it is still unclear when exactly the fee collection will start, how it will be paid, and whether the money can be refunded.
. The association notes that the new fee increases travel expenses to the US by 144%, but does not reduce interview wait times. The tourism sector fears that these extra costs and complications may discourage visitors.

List of Visa Waiver Program countries:
. Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Hungary, United Kingdom, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, France, Czech Republic, Sweden, Switzerland, Estonia, South Korea, Japan. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!