U.S. Implements $250 Entry Fee Effective October 1, 2025: What Canadians, Permanent Residents, and Foreign Workers Should Know About the New Border Change I FH&P Lawyers

A new U.S. policy has introduced an additional fee for certain visa applicants. Most Canadians traveling to the United States for short visits will see no change. However, effective October 1, 2025, permanent residents of Canada and other visa-required travelers applying for certain work, family, or specialized visa categories will now have to pay an added fee.

Who Is Required to Pay the U.S. Visa Integrity Fee?

The new fee applies to anyone required to obtain a U.S. non-immigrant visa. These visas include tourist and business visas (B-1/B-2), student visas (F/M), work visas (H-1B/H-4), and exchange visitor visas (J).

This requirement affects citizens of countries such as China, India, Nigeria, Pakistan, Brazil, and others. As a result, Canadian permanent residents and temporary residents who hold citizenship from visa-required countries will also be subject to the fee when entering the United States.

When Do Canadian Citizens Need a U.S. Non-Immigrant Visa?

While Canadian citizens typically do not require a U.S. visa for travel, there are specific circumstances in which a non-immigrant visa is mandatory. This includes government or diplomatic assignments (A, G, or NATO visa categories), treaty traders and investors (E-1 and E-2 visas), spouses and children of Australian E-3 visa holders (E-3D), fiancés(e)s of U.S. citizens (K-1 and K-2 visas), spouses and children of U.S. citizens immigrating to the United States (K-3 and K-4 visas), and individuals providing critical information or assistance to U.S. law enforcement or intelligence agencies (S-5, S-6, and S-7 visas).

Who Is Exempt from the U.S. Visa Integrity Fee?

Visitors to the U.S. who do not need a visa, such as Canadian citizens and travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, are exempt from the $250 fee.

The Visa Waiver Program covers countries including Australia, the UK, Japan, Germany, France, South Korea, and several others. Canada is not on the list since its citizens can enter the U.S. without an ESTA or visa.