WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has introduced a new $250 “visa fee” for foreign travellers, including those from Pakistan, raising the overall cost of a US visa to $442. The fee will take effect from October 1, 2025.
The move comes amid declining foreign tourist arrivals to the United States, with industry experts warning of further damage to the already struggling tourism sector.
Tourism decline continues
According to media reports, tourist arrivals in July fell 3.1 per cent to 19.2 million — the fifth monthly decline this year. Analysts link the fall to stricter immigration policies and strained diplomatic ties under the Trump administration.
Who will pay?
The new fee will apply to all applicants of non-immigrant visas, including tourists, business travellers, and international students, from countries outside the US Visa Waiver Program.
This means citizens of Pakistan, India, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and China, among others, will be affected. Travellers from Visa Waiver countries such as Australia, Japan, and several European states will remain exempt.
Payment and refunds
The visa fee will only be charged upon visa approval. Applicants whose applications are rejected will not be required to pay.
Refunds may be claimed if visa holders comply with all rules, including avoiding unauthorised employment and not overstaying their visas by more than five days. Refunds will be processed after visa expiry.
Industry backlash
The US Travel Association has cautioned that the measure could further reduce foreign arrivals. Experts noted that even upcoming mega-events such as the FIFA World Cup 2026 and the Los Angeles Olympics might not reverse the downward trend.
The World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that international tourist spending in the United States could drop to $169 billion in 2025, below 2024 levels.
