Last Updated On 21 July 2025, 6:22 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

The United States, a top destination for Canadians for tourism, education, and work, has introduced a new $250 “US visa integrity fee” under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed into law on July 4, 2025.

This fee, aimed at enhancing U.S. immigration system integrity by addressing visa overstays, has sparked significant discussion, particularly among Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and temporary residents planning to cross the border.

While most Canadian citizens are exempt due to visa-free travel privileges, Canadian permanent residents and temporary residents face new financial and logistical considerations.

This guide explores the fee’s details, its specific impact on Canadians, and practical advice for navigating this change.

With major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, understanding this fee is crucial for Canadians planning U.S. travel.

A New Cost for U.S. Travel: The US Visa Integrity Fee

For Canadians, the U.S. is more than a neighbouring country—it’s a hub for vacations, family visits, education, and professional opportunities.

In 2023, Canadians made over 12 million trips to the U.S., contributing significantly to tourism and cross-border economies.

However, the new $250 visa integrity fee, introduced as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, could reshape travel plans for many.

While Canadian citizens generally enjoy visa-free entry for short visits, Canadian permanent residents and temporary residents requiring nonimmigrant visas will face this additional cost.

The fee, set to fund enhanced immigration enforcement and border security, has sparked debates, with some calling it a barrier to travel and others viewing it as a necessary security measure.

As of July 21, 2025, the fee’s implementation details remain unclear, but its potential to affect Canadian permanent residents, students, and workers is significant.

This article provides a comprehensive guide tailored to Canadians, addressing who pays, how it works, and what it means for cross-border travel.

Understanding the Visa Integrity Fee

The visa integrity fee is a $250 charge applied to most nonimmigrant visa applicants, effective for the U.S. fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025).

It’s part of a broader effort to address visa overstays, which account for approximately 42% of the estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S.

The fee is non-waivable but potentially refundable if visa holders comply with terms, such as departing on time or obtaining legal status extensions.

Unlike existing visa fees, this charge is designed as a “security deposit” to incentivize compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

It applies to nonimmigrant visas, including those for tourism (B-1/B-2), study (F-1/M-1), work (H-1B/L-1), and exchange programs (J-1).

For Canadians, the fee’s impact varies significantly based on immigration status—citizen, permanent resident, or temporary resident—due to Canada’s unique visa exemptions with the U.S.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Context and Goals

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, signed by President Trump on July 4, 2025, is a sweeping budget and immigration reform package.

It includes provisions for increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), detention centres, and border wall construction.

The visa integrity fee is a key component, intended to:

Fund visa policy enforcement and border security measures.
Deter overstays by imposing a financial penalty for non-compliance.
Generate revenue, with the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimating a $28.9 billion deficit reduction over 2025-2034.

For Canadians, the act’s focus on border security resonates due to the shared 5,525-mile border, but the fee’s application to permanent and temporary residents has raised concerns about travel costs and bilateral relations.

Who Pays the US Visa Integrity Fee? Implications for Canadians

Canadian Citizens

Most Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa integrity fee because they do not require a nonimmigrant visa for short-term visits (up to six months) for tourism or business.

This exemption stems from Canada’s special status, which surpasses even the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enjoyed by countries like the UK and Japan.

However, Canadian citizens need nonimmigrant visas—and thus must pay the fee—in specific cases, including:

Government or diplomatic travel: A, G, or NATO visa categories.
Treaty traders/investors: E-1 and E-2 visas.
Specialty occupation workers’ dependents: E-3D visas.
Fiancé(e)s or spouses of U.S. citizens: K-1, K-2, K-3, or K-4 visas.
Informants for U.S. law enforcement: S-5, S-6, or S-7 visas.

For example, a Canadian citizen applying for an H-1B visa to work as a software engineer in the U.S. would face the $250 fee on top of the existing $205 application fee.

Canadian Permanent Residents

Canadian permanent residents (PRs) face the most significant impact.

Unlike Canadian citizens, PRs who hold passports from non-visa-exempt countries (e.g., India, China, Nigeria) must obtain a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S., making them subject to the $250 fee.

For instance, a Canadian PR from India applying for a B-2 tourist visa to visit New York would need to budget an additional $250, potentially doubling the cost of visa processing.

This has sparked concern among Canadian PR communities, highlighting the financial burden for families.

A family of four PRs could face an additional $1,000 in fees, significantly affecting travel plans.

Canadian Temporary Residents

Canadian temporary residents, such as international students or temporary foreign workers in Canada, are also affected if they require a U.S. nonimmigrant visa.

For example:

A temporary resident in Canada on a study permit from Brazil, applying for an F-1 visa to attend a U.S. university, must pay the fee.
A temporary foreign worker from Pakistan on a Canadian work permit, seeking an H-1B visa, would also be subject to the fee.

The fee applies regardless of Canadian immigration status if a U.S. visa is required, making it a critical consideration for temporary residents planning U.S. travel or study.

When and How Will the Fee Be Implemented?

As of July 21, 2025, the visa integrity fee has not been implemented, and no official start date has been confirmed.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State are still coordinating logistics, with implementation expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

The fee is effective for fiscal year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), but collection mechanisms are not yet in place, creating uncertainty for travellers.

The fee is set at a minimum of $250 for 2025, with the Secretary of Homeland Security authorized to increase it via regulation.

Starting in 2026, it will increase annually based on the Consumer Price Index, meaning costs could rise over time.

Payment and Refund Process

The fee is paid at the time of visa issuance, not application, meaning applicants whose visas are denied will not be charged.

The exact payment process remains unclear, but it’s likely to be integrated into the existing Department of State online payment system for visa fees.

Canadian PRs and temporary residents should prepare to pay the fee alongside other costs, such as:

Machine-readable visa (MRV) fee: $160-$205, depending on visa type.
Reciprocity fees: Vary by nationality.
SEVIS fee for students: $350 for F-1 visas.

For example, a Canadian PR applying for an F-1 student visa could face total fees exceeding $700, including the $250 integrity fee.

Refund Process

The fee is potentially refundable if visa holders comply with terms, such as:

Departing the U.S. within the authorized stay (including a five-day grace period).
Avoiding unauthorized employment.
Obtaining a legal extension or adjusting to lawful permanent resident status.

However, the refund process is not yet established, and the CBO estimates it could take years to implement due to bureaucratic complexities.

Immigration lawyer Steven Brown advises treating the fee as nonrefundable, noting that refunds may involve lengthy paperwork and delays.

This uncertainty has frustrated Canadian PRs, with some calling the refund promise “a bureaucratic nightmare.”

Practical Tips for Canadian Travellers

Check Visa Requirements: Canadian citizens should confirm if their travel purpose requires a visa (e.g., work or study). PRs and temporary residents must verify their passport’s visa-exempt status.
Budget for Fees: Plan for the $250 fee plus other visa costs. Families should account for per-person charges.
Monitor Updates: Check DHS and State Department websites for implementation details.
Maintain Compliance: To qualify for potential refunds, adhere strictly to visa terms, including timely departure.
Consult Experts: Engage an immigration lawyer for complex cases, especially for work or study visas.

The fee’s long-term impact depends on implementation clarity and refund processes.

If refunds remain difficult, it could deter Canadian PRs and temporary residents from U.S. travel, affecting tourism and education sectors.

The fee may also prompt Canada to reconsider its own visa policies.

With global travel becoming more competitive, the U.S. risks losing visitors to destinations with lower entry costs.

The $250 visa integrity fee, while exempting most Canadian citizens, poses new challenges for Canadian permanent residents and temporary residents requiring U.S. nonimmigrant visas.

As of July 21, 2025, its implementation is pending, but the financial and logistical implications are significant.

Canadian PRs and temporary residents must plan for higher costs, while citizens should verify visa needs for specific travel purposes.

By staying informed and prepared, Canadians can navigate this change and continue enjoying U.S. opportunities.

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.