Ghanaian citizens planning to visit the United States will soon face an additional financial burden. Starting October 1, 2025, the US government will introduce a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” for most non-immigrant visa applicants. This fee, part of the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law on July 4, 2025, aims to enhance immigration system’s integrity.
Who Pays the Fee?
– Non-immigrant visa applicants: Most Ghanaians applying for tourist, business, student, work, or exchange visas will be required to pay the fee.
– Applicants from non-waiver countries: Citizens of countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and other African nations will pay the $250 fee in addition to existing visa application fees.
Exemptions
– Visa Waiver Program countries: Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, such as the UK, France, and Germany, are exempt from the fee. However, this does not apply to Ghanaians.
– Canadians and Bermudians: Most Canadians and Bermudians are also exempt from paying the fee.
Impact on Travel Costs
The new fee will significantly increase the cost of traveling to the US for Ghanaians. A single tourist visa application may now cost several hundred dollars or more, including:
– Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee
– Reciprocity fees
– Anti-fraud charges
– $250 Visa Integrity Fee
Potential Refund
The fee may be refundable if visa holders comply with their visa terms, depart the US on time, and avoid unauthorized work. However, the refund process is still unclear, and travelers are advised to budget for the fee as a non-refundable expense.