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October 1, 2025
i read the effective date is October 1:
https://www.cntraveller.in/story/us-...integrity-fee/ I am now concerned there are 42 countries and their citizens are exempt. What about Canadians? |
Originally Posted by 13901
(Post 37216960)
Not really sure how this latest American folly is on topic for the BA forum, to be totally frank. However, one thing I know for sure is that no one in the Airline community, at least in Europe, had prior notification of this “integrity fee”.
There’s also no detail whatsoever from the US authorities about how (and if) airlines ought to be checking if an “integrity fee” has been paid and by whom. TIMATIC isn’t, to the best of my knowledge, updated and neither is Amadeus. |
Originally Posted by Antonio8069
(Post 37217921)
i read the effective date is October 1:
https://www.cntraveller.in/story/us-...integrity-fee/ I am now concerned there are 42 countries and their citizens are exempt. What about Canadians? |
Originally Posted by SpammersAreScum
(Post 37218029)
As I understand it, that's the same countries that are already in the Visa Waiver Program. If you don't need a visa, you don't pay the fee. And Canada isn't in the VWP.
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The most annoying thing for ME is the dreadfully poor reporting on this Down Under. (The cynic in me says thats probably intentional) Not one article Ive seen here even mentions the ESTA...which of course the vast majority of Australians can use... It appears the media is trying to imply that EVERYONE will be paying this fee. Hate on the new fee by all means (although Australia really can't talk when it comes to visa fees...lol Ours just went up again on 1 July. AUD$670 for a Working Holiday Visa, $2000 for a Student Visa etc) but report HONESTLY and FULLY!
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Originally Posted by roardesert
(Post 37218497)
Yes, there’s definitely growing concern about the new visa integrity fee, especially among frequent travelers and those planning trips to the U.S. The proposed fee is quite steep, and while it currently seems targeted more towards certain visa categories (like H-1B or student visas), it’s still unclear how broadly it will be applied.
As of now, it doesn't apply to ESTA travelers under the Visa Waiver Program — but with rising administrative costs and political shifts, that could always change in the future. For tourists or business travelers who rely on short-term visits, any increase like this could discourage travel — and indirectly impact the U.S. tourism economy too. Let’s hope the final implementation keeps balance between security and accessibility. |
On the other hand, the fees for those L1 visas applicable to highly-skilled jobs with shortages in the U.S. (notably aerospace, defense, pharma, and Wall Street) are likely paid by employers for whom it is another tax deductible cost of doing business.
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I am sure its annoying, but based on what you are likely to be earning if coming on an L1 I would be surprised if this made anyone change their minds.
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Originally Posted by SPN Lifer
(Post 37218552)
On the other hand, the fees for those L1 visas applicable to highly-skilled jobs with shortages in the U.S. (notably aerospace, defense, pharma, and Wall Street) are likely paid by employers for whom it is another tax deductible cost of doing business.
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As a US citizen, I am preemptively applying to visas this month for the likely event of reciprocity increases. Some of these include Brazil (10 year evisa, required again starting April 2025) and China.
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