Traveling to the United States will become much more expensive for millions of people. The United States will implement a higher fee for acquiring a B1/B2 tourist visa starting from October 1, 2025.
This decision is set to take effect following congress passed legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last month, under pressure from President Donald Trump.
According to USA Today, the previous visa fee was $185. Under the new law, an additional $250 will be added, bringing the total to $435.
This marks an increase of over 135%, making the U.S. tourist visa fee the highest in the world, USA Today reports.
The U.S. Department of State has announced that, in accordance with the legal framework, the new fee will be implemented from the start of the new fiscal year (October 1). However, there is also discussion about the possibility of pushing implementation to 2026.
USA Today further states that a family of five planning to travel to the U.S. would now need to spend nearly $2,000 (around 250,000 Bangladeshi Taka) on visa fees alone. This might lead to a decline in tourist interest.
The fee hike will not only impact travelers but may also affect major upcoming events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. For many ordinary individuals and athletes from low-economy countries, this increase could become a significant barrier.
U.S. officials have said the fee may be refundable, but no clear structure or timeline for refunds has been set. One thing is certain that traveling to the United States is about to get more expensive.
Source: USA Today
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