Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 11:39am on 31 Aug 2025,Sunday India Global
The United States has introduced a $250 “visa integrity fee,” effective October 1, 2025, raising total visa costs for non–Visa Waiver Program nations, including India, to around $442—among the highest globally. Indian students, tourists, and business travelers are expected to be particularly impacted, as India is one of the largest sources of U.S.-bound visitors. The move comes amid a 3.1% drop in U.S. international arrivals in July 2025, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline. Travel industry leaders warn the higher costs could discourage Indian visitors, threatening U.S. tourism ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics. (PC: Reuters)
