United States government has announced a new visa policy requiring non-immigrant visa applicants from certain countries, including Nigeria, to pay a $250 “Integrity Fee.” The new policy, which takes effect from August 1, 2025, applies to applicants from countries deemed to have high visa overstay rates.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the move is aimed at discouraging misuse of non-immigrant visas and improving compliance with visa terms. The affected countries reportedly have an overstay rate of at least 10%, prompting the imposition of this additional fee.
The $250 charge will be collected in addition to the regular visa application fees and must be paid at the point of application. U.S. authorities clarified that this fee will not apply to diplomatic or official visa categories, but strictly to tourist and business visa seekers from the listed countries.
The U.S. Embassy noted that the funds generated from the Integrity Fee will support monitoring and enforcement programs aimed at ensuring visitors comply with their permitted stay durations. Nigerian travelers and those from similarly affected countries are advised to factor in the additional fee when making travel plans.
