Big worry for Indians as US Visa gets costlier, Indians now have to pay up to Rs… fees amid Trump tariff war

Due to President Donald Trump's strict immigration policies and hostile attitude toward several foreign countries, the number of people coming from abroad has been steadily decreasing.

New Delhi: In a major development, the Trump administration has decided to impose a USD 250 (around Rs 22,000) Visa Integrity Fee from October 1. Following this, obtaining the US visa will become even more expensive. According to the US Travel Association, the total cost of getting a visa could rise to USD 442 (around Rs 40,000). The rise in the fee will impact the number of people traveling from India to the US, which has already seen a 2.5 percent decline. It is important to note that the number of Indian students going to the US has also dropped by 18 percent this year.

The US colleges are also in a big worry after witnessing a massive drop of international students. Due to President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policies and hostile attitude toward several foreign countries, the number of people coming from abroad has been steadily decreasing. It is believed that the new Visa Integrity Fee could put additional pressure on the already struggling US travel industry.

Here are some of the key details:

• The number of foreign travelers arriving in the United States in July fell 3.1 percent year-on-year to 19.2 million.
• It was expected that the annual number of incoming visitors in 2025 would finally surpass the pre-pandemic level of 79.4 million.
• New visa fee rules, set to take effect from October 1
• New visa fee rule could most affect countries like Mexico, Argentina, India, Brazil, and China.
• According to the membership organization U.S. Travel Association, this additional fee will raise the total visa cost to USD 442
• The World Travel & Tourism Council predicts fewer international arrivals, which will impact revenue.
• It is estimated that this year, travelers will spend only $169 billion, compared to $181 billion in 2024.
• The effect is expected to be seen on events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Visa Bonds Will Also Be a Burden

It is important to note that the Donald Trump administration advanced a USD 15,000 bond plan to tighten the visa duration for students, cultural exchange visitors, and media personnel. Tourist and business visa applicants may also have to pay a USD 15,000 bond. A pilot project for this was launched on August 20. Its aim is to clamp down on people who overstay beyond their visa duration.