Planning a trip to the United States? Depending on the type of visa you need, your travel budget might have to stretch a little further.
Amid new border rules and heightened scrutiny under U.S. President Donald Trump, travellers are now facing yet another cost. A new American law passed earlier this month, called the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, includes the introduction of a Visa Integrity Fee that applies to certain foreign nationals (including some Canadians) entering the U.S. on nonimmigrant visas.
The fee is set at $250 USD, which works out to around $340 CAD.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the fee is expected to roll out by the end of 2025 and will be adjusted yearly based on inflation. While it might be refundable in some cases, the conditions are pretty strict. To qualify for reimbursement, travellers will need to:
- Fully comply with the conditions of their visa, including not working illegally;
- Leave the U.S. no later than five days after their visa expires; or
- Successfully extend their stay or gain permanent residency during that time.
The new fee is part of a push to strengthen compliance and oversight around U.S. visa conditions, officials say.
Who will this affect in Canada?
Most Canadian citizens don't need a nonimmigrant visa to enter the U.S. for tourism, business, or family visits. But some exceptions apply — including Canadians who are:
- Marrying or joining a U.S. fiancé(e) (K-1 visa)
- Completing family immigration processes (K-3 or K-4)
- Entering the U.S. for international or government work
- Assisting in criminal or terrorist investigations (S-5 or S-6 visas)
Permanent residents of Canada, regardless of nationality, must always apply for a visa to enter the U.S., which means they’ll likely be subject to the new fee too.
So if you're just planning a weekend shopping run in Plattsburgh, this won't apply to you. But if you're heading south to work, study, or join a family member, the $340 charge could soon be part of the cost — on top of existing visa fees, travel expenses, and paperwork.
This story was adapted from the article "Voyager aux États-Unis: Des «frais d'intégrité» de 340$ bientôt exigés à certains visiteurs" which was originally published on Narcity Quebec.
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