New U.S. Visa Rules Could Make Travel Much Harder and Costly for Indians
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The U.S. State Department is launching a 12-month pilot program starting August 20, 2025, which could make travel to the U.S. much more expensive and difficult for certain applicants. It affects those applying for business (B-1) or tourist (B-2) visas, especially from countries with high rates of visa overstays or weak screening systems.
Under this new rule, applicants might be required to post a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, typically set at $10,000 by consular officers unless circumstances justify a lower or higher amount. The bond acts like a guarantee that the visitor will leave the U.S. on time; if they violate visa terms or overstay, the bond is forfeited.
In addition, a new “Visa Integrity Fee” of $250 (non-refundable in most cases) has been introduced for most non-immigrant visas, including tourist, student, work, and exchange categories. For Indian applicants, this could mean total costs reaching approximately INR 13 lakh (≈ $15,000 bond) plus about ₹22,000 ($250) as the fee.
Experts warn that combining these requirements may make travel to the U.S. nearly impossible for many from developing countries, including India, due to the steep upfront payments.
Overall, this dual-cost barrier represents a major shift in U.S. immigration policy, aiming to enforce compliance but raising concerns about fairness and accessibility.
