Ghanaians and other travellers planning to travel to the United States on non-immigrant visas will soon have to pay an additional $250 as part of a new policy introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
The new charge—referred to as the “visa integrity fee”—is part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, which was signed into law on 4th July 2025 and takes effect during the U.S. government’s 2025 fiscal year (from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025).
A report by Independent.co.uk stated that the fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa holders, including tourists, students, and temporary workers from Ghana and other countries that do not qualify for the U.S. Visa Waiver Programme.
It does not affect those travelling with an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization), which is mostly limited to citizens of countries like the UK, Australia, Japan, and Singapore.
In addition to existing visa processing costs, the U.S. has also increased the Form I-94 fee to $24, further raising the financial burden on travellers.
Non-Refundable — Unless You Follow All the Rules
Under Section 10007 of the new law, the visa integrity fee:
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Cannot be waived or reduced under any circumstances.
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May be refunded, but only if the visa holder strictly follows U.S. immigration laws—such as leaving the country no later than five days after their visa expires, or obtaining lawful permanent residency during their stay.
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Violations, such as working without authorisation, will lead to forfeiture of the fee.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security says systems are not yet in place to begin collecting the fee, but it will be enforced during the fiscal year.
In a statement, a department spokesperson said: “The visa integrity fee requires cross-agency coordination before implementation,” adding that the broader bill aims to “restore integrity to the U.S. immigration system.”
The fee is expected to be reviewed and adjusted annually based on inflation.
Who Is Exempt?
Travellers from over 40 visa-waiver countries, including the UK, Germany, and Japan, will not be required to pay the $250 fee for short stays under 90 days. However, the cost of applying for an ESTA (electronic travel authorisation) will nearly double—from $21 to $40.
A recent U.S. government report shows that nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas were issued in 2024 alone, many of them to Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans.
What This Means for Ghanaians
For Ghanaian students, tourists, or workers heading to the U.S., this new charge significantly raises the cost of travel and documentation—adding to already high application fees, medical exams, and travel expenses.
The Ghanaian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to comment on the development or its potential impact on visa processing at the U.S. Embassy in Accra.
