31.10.2025
Effective October 2025, the U.S. has implemented major updates to its visa policy. These include a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, mandatory in-person interviews, higher ESTA fees, and stricter regulations for H-1B work visas. In this article, we analyse the impact of these changes on tourists, students, and employers in 2025.
As of October 2025, significant changes to the U.S. visa policy have come into effect, impacting nearly all categories of applicants, including tourists, students, and work visa holders. The reforms are designed to enhance oversight, increase transparency, and streamline visa procedures. However, for most travelers and companies, these measures bring additional costs and new visa application requirements.
Effective October 1, 2025, a mandatory Visa Integrity Fee of $250 has been implemented. It applies to most non-immigrant visa categories, including B1/B2 (tourist), F (student), J (exchange), I (journalist) visas, and several others, with exemptions limited to diplomatic visas. The new fee is added to the standard consular processing fee and must be paid at the time the application is submitted.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the Visa Integrity Fee is intended to cover the costs of enhanced security checks and applicant screening. In practice, however, the fee adds to the financial burden for first-time visa applicants and families traveling together. For example, a family of three would face an additional $750, not including the standard consular fee and service charges.
Previously, similar measures applied only to certain visa categories, but now they have been extended universally. The fact that the fee is mandatory, even for participants in cultural exchange programs and journalists, has prompted discussions regarding equal treatment among various applicant groups.
Since the beginning of October 2025, the U.S. Department of State has updated its interview policy. Most applicants for U.S. non-immigrant visas are now required to attend an in-person interview at the embassy or consulate. Previous exemptions for children and senior citizens have been eliminated.
Previously, children under the age of 14 and senior citizens aged 75 and above could obtain a visa without attending an interview, although specific age limits and conditions varied by country. Additionally, the Interview Waiver Program allowed applicants to reapply for the same type of visa they had held within the past ten years, provided they applied in the same country where the original visa was issued. In this case, documents were sent to the embassy or consulate by courier, and the visa was issued without a personal interview.
Visa applications and interview appointments are now restricted to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of citizenship or legal permanent residence. However, for citizens of countries where U.S. embassies or consulates are temporarily closed, the Department of State has provided a list of alternative countries where the interview can be conducted, ensuring that visa services remain available even in difficult situations.
This measure is intended to reduce the number of fraudulent visa applications and strengthen oversight of the visa process. In practice, however, it has complicated the visa procedure for expatriates, students, and freelancers who were previously able to submit applications from outside their country of residence. The waiting times for visa appointments have grown considerably, especially in Asia and Europe, where applicant volume is traditionally high.
As of October 2025, both the fee and the validity period for the ESTA (electronic travel authorization) have been updated for citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program.
The ESTA application fee has increased from $21 to $40, while the validity period has been extended from two to four years. The rise in the ESTA fee in 2025 is attributed to growing costs for digital infrastructure and traveler data security. Authorities emphasize that the extended validity period compensates for the higher charge.
Nevertheless, for those who travel infrequently, the change can be perceived as a hidden price increase. When submitting group applications, costs rise proportionally with the number of participants, and no reimbursement is provided if the application is refused.
In general, the ESTA updates reflect a broader trend toward the digitalization of visa procedures and increased traveler accountability for the information provided.
One of the most high-profile measures was the proclamation that came into effect on September 21, 2025, concerning H-1B work visas. Under the new rule, employers must pay an additional fee of $100,000 when submitting a petition for each foreign specialist.
Exemptions are granted to foreign nationals whose work is considered to be in the national interest. For the majority of companies, this measure has had a significant impact, prompting leading retailers and IT corporations to reassess their staffing strategies. For example, Walmart, previously one of the largest employers of H-1B visa holders, announced it would temporarily suspend the recruitment of foreign specialists.
The new policy is designed to boost domestic investment in the U.S. labor market and restrict mass hiring of foreign professionals. Experts, however, warn that in the long term, it may lead to a shortage of qualified specialists and increased costs for companies operating in the technology, healthcare, and education sectors.
Recent changes in the U.S. visa policy for tourists, students, and skilled professionals are shaping a new reality. In 2026, applicants should be prepared for stricter requirements, higher costs, and longer processing times.
When planning a trip or applying to an educational institution, it is recommended to:
Check the visa categories and most recent payment requirements several months before submitting your application.
Schedule your visa interview in advance — waiting times at consulates can extend to several months.
Prepare additional documents to confirm the purpose of travel and your financial stability.
Use only official online platforms for submitting visa applications and paying visa fees.
For applicants from CIS countries, the new regulations call for more thorough planning and attention to detail. As the process of applying in third countries has become more complicated, it is important to determine the appropriate visa jurisdiction in advance.
To save time and avoid mistakes, consult Terrana’s experts. Terrana’s team can help you choose the appropriate visa, organize all necessary documents, and guide you step by step through the submission process. This support is particularly valuable given stricter requirements, where mistakes in the application form or supporting documents may lead to visa denial.
The U.S. visa policy updates in 2025 demonstrate a clear focus on increasing transparency and strengthening control. The U.S. has indeed “raised the stakes”, making the visa application process more expensive, yet more predictable. Applicants who approach preparation systematically and carefully still have a strong chance of visa approval in 2026.
