The fee, described as a visa integrity surcharge, applies to various categories including tourist, student, exchange, and work visas.
This new charge pushes the total cost of a typical U.S. visa application for Ghanaians closer to $500, excluding other expenses such as travel documentation, and appointment-related costs.
According to a report by Independent.co.uk, which confirms that the recently announced $250 visa integrity fee will apply to all non-immigrant visa holders from Ghana and other countries not part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. This includes tourists, students, and temporary workers.
The fee will not apply to travellers using ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) — an option available mainly to citizens of countries like the UK, Australia, Japan, and Singapore, who qualify for visa-free short-term travel to the U.S.
In addition to regular visa fees, the U.S. has also increased the Form I-94 fee — required for tracking arrivals and departures — from $6 to $24, adding to the overall cost burden.
The new $250 charge is part of Section 10007 of a broader immigration reform law. It is non-waivable and non-reducible under any circumstances.
However, it may be refunded only if visa holders strictly comply with U.S. immigration rules — such as departing the country within five days after their visa expires or securing lawful permanent residency during their stay.
Any violation, including working without authorisation, automatically leads to forfeiture of the fee.
While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has said the systems to collect the fee are not yet in place, it confirmed that the fee will be enforced within the current fiscal year.
A spokesperson noted that implementing the charge “requires cross-agency coordination” and is part of broader efforts to “restore integrity to the U.S. immigration system.”
The fee will be reviewed and adjusted annually based on inflation.
Travellers from over 40 visa-waiver countries — including Germany, Japan, and the UK — will not be required to pay the new $250 fee for short stays under 90 days.
However, the cost of applying for an ESTA is set to almost double, increasing from $21 to $40.
A U.S. government report revealed that nearly 11 million non-immigrant visas were issued in 2024, with a large number going to Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans — the groups now hit hardest by the new charge.
For Ghanaian travellers — particularly students, tourists, and temporary workers — the new fee adds another layer of cost to an already expensive and stressful process.
This comes on top of high visa application fees, required medical exams, and flight expenses.
Most Ghanaians are issued three-month single-entry visas, meaning they must pay the full fee again if they leave and need to return.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry has not yet commented on the new policy or its potential impact on visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Accra.
Source: Myjoyonline.com
