Home » TRAVEL NEWS » United States Introduces New Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee That Could Impact Your Travel Plans Starting Soon

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Starting on October 1, 2025, a new U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee will be required for all visa applicants. This refundable security fee of USD 250 (about Sh56,210) aims to enhance accountability for individuals seeking to visit, study, or work in the United States. The fee is being introduced as part of the U.S government’s efforts to tackle the issue of visa overstays and improve compliance with immigration law.

What Is the U.S Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee?

The U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee is a new refundable deposit that applicants must pay upfront when applying for a nonimmigrant visa. The fee applies to various visa categories, including tourist (B1/B2), student (F/M), and employment (H-1B/H-4) visas. If applicants follow the rules of their visa and leave the U.S without overstaying, they will receive the full deposit back. However, if applicants violate the terms of their visa—such as staying beyond the allowed duration—the U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee will be forfeited.

Why Is the U.S Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee Being Introduced?

The introduction of the U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee comes in response to rising concerns over visa overstays. According to U.S. immigration law experts, a growing number of travelers have overstayed their visas, leading to an increase in illegal immigration. By implementing this refundable security fee, the U.S government aims to encourage visitors to comply with visa rules and reduce the number of individuals who stay in the country beyond their authorized period. Brad Bernstein, a U.S immigration attorney, states that this initiative is designed to ensure that visa applicants are held accountable for their actions.

Who Is Affected by the U.S Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee?

The U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee will apply to visa applicants from most countries, but there are exceptions. Countries that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, such as the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, Germany, and Canada, will not be required to pay this new fee. However, visa applicants from non-waiver countries—including India, China, Brazil, and Nigeria—will need to pay the security deposit. This also includes applicants from most countries in Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and South America.

Breakdown of U.S Visa Fees

In addition to the new U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee, applicants will still need to pay the standard visa application fees. For instance, the application fee for a U.S. B1/B2 visa is around $185 (Sh23,910). With the new security deposit in place, applicants will now need to budget approximately Sh56,210 for their visa application.

Here’s a breakdown of the costs:

U.S. B1/B2 visa application fee: $185 (approximately Sh23,910)U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee: $250 (around Sh32,300)Total fee for visa applicants: Around Sh56,210The Refund Process for the U.S Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee

The refundable nature of the new U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee is designed to reward applicants who comply with U.S. immigration law. If a visa holder adheres to their visa’s terms, leaves the U.S on time, and does not overstay their visa, they will receive their $250 deposit back. However, if the visa holder violates their visa conditions—such as staying longer than allowed or engaging in other illegal activities— they will forfeit the refundable security fee. This process aims to discourage visa overstays and enforce compliance with U.S immigration laws.

Impact of the U.S Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee on Visa Applicants

The introduction of the U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee is likely to have a significant impact on the way people approach their U.S visa applications. The added cost, especially for applicants from countries outside the U.S Visa Waiver Program, could be a deterrent for some.

However, supporters of the new fee believe it is a necessary step to reduce visa overstays and improve overall compliance with immigration laws. For many, the refundable security deposit will serve as an incentive to adhere to U.S. visa terms, ensuring they don’t violate the conditions of their stay.

Visa Overstay Penalties and the U.S Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee

The new refundable security fee also ties into the broader issue of visa overstay penalties. Overstaying a visa can lead to serious consequences, including deportation and restrictions on future U.S. visa applications. The introduction of this fee aims to minimize such penalties by offering travelers a clear financial reason to comply with visa terms. The potential for forfeiting the $250 deposit if visa conditions are not met is designed to encourage individuals to leave the U.S. as required.

Conclusion: Planning for the U.S Nonimmigrant Visa Security Fee

The new U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee is a significant change in how the U.S handles nonimmigrant visa applications. Starting in October 2025, applicants will need to pay a refundable security fee in addition to standard visa application fees. For many, this will mean a higher upfront cost for their U.S. visa. However, those who comply with U.S immigration law will receive their deposit back.

Visa applicants should prepare for these changes by understanding the new fee structure and planning their applications accordingly. It’s essential for travelers to be aware of the U.S nonimmigrant visa security fee and its impact on their visa application process to avoid any surprises when applying for their U.S. visa.