Hey there, travelers! If you're planning a trip to the United States, there's a new fee you need to know about. Starting in late 2025, Canadian permanent residents and foreign nationals residing in Canada will have to pay a $250 Visa Integrity Fee when applying for non-immigrant US visas, as laid out in the recent H.R.1 Act.

So, who specifically has to pay this fee? Anyone from countries that require a non-immigrant visa to visit the US will be affected, which includes many from countries like China and India. This fee applies to various visa categories such as tourist, business, student, and work visas.

But don't worry, if you’re a Canadian citizen who doesn’t need a visa for travel, you might be exempt from this fee. However, if you're applying for a specific work or student visa, that won't be the case.

Keep in mind, if you don’t need a visa at all—like visitors from countries on the Visa Waiver Program or many Canadian citizens—you won't need to pay this fee.

Lastly, remember that this fee is non-refundable, although there are some circumstances under which you might get reimbursed later. Stay informed and happy travels!