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Canadians issued travel advice around new US visa integrity fee

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, October 7th 2025 at 7:47 GMT by Newsweek
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Canada’s New Travel Advisory on the U.S. Visa Integrity Fee: What Every Canadian Traveler Needs to Know

Canadian citizens and residents who are planning to visit the United States soon will find themselves navigating a new cost that had been quietly added to the visa application process in recent years: the U.S. Visa Integrity Fee (VIF). In an effort to keep travelers informed, the Government of Canada’s Department of Global Affairs (formerly Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development) issued a travel advisory that explains the fee’s mechanics, who is affected, how to pay it, and why the policy matters for Canadians heading across the border. The advisory—released late this week—saw an immediate response from Canadian travelers, many of whom are already grappling with the lingering effects of the pandemic, fluctuating U.S. immigration policies, and the complexities of visa applications.

What Is the Visa Integrity Fee?

The Visa Integrity Fee was first introduced in 2019 by the U.S. Department of State as a way to cover the costs of increased background checks and system upgrades designed to “prevent fraud and maintain the integrity of the U.S. visa program.” The fee applies only to non‑immigrant visa categories (B‑1/B‑2 visitor visas, H‑1B work visas, J‑1 exchange visas, etc.) and is set at $100. (Immigrant visas, by contrast, carry a separate fee of $35.) The fee is in addition to the standard visa application fee that applicants must pay.

While the U.S. has long charged an application fee for all visa types, the VIF is a relatively recent addition. It is paid online through the U.S. Department of State’s website (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-integrity-fee.html) before the visa interview, and the money goes directly to the U.S. Treasury.

Who Is Affected?

Under Canada’s current travel advisory, the VIF applies to any Canadian citizen or permanent resident who requires a non‑immigrant U.S. visa. This includes:

• Business and tourism travelers who do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and must apply for a B‑1/B‑2 visa.
• Students on F‑1 or M‑1 visas.
• Exchange visitors on J‑1 visas.
• Professionals on H‑1B, L‑1, or other work visas.
• Diplomats and government officials traveling under temporary status.

Importantly, Canadian citizens traveling under the Visa Waiver Program—i.e., those who can use an approved ESTA to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days—do not have to pay the VIF. However, the advisory notes that ESTA holders must still be mindful of other U.S. entry requirements, such as the “one‑way” travel rule and the new “no re‑entry” restriction on certain travelers.

How to Pay and What to Watch Out For

The travel advisory points out that the fee can be paid online via the State Department’s “Visa Integrity Fee” page, but only if you are applying for a new non‑immigrant visa or renewing an existing one that has been marked as “pending.” The steps are:

1. Create an account on the U.S. Visa application portal (https://ceac.state.gov/CEAC/).
2. Select the visa category you are applying for.
3. Pay the VIF using a U.S.-based credit card or a Visa‑accepted payment method.
4. Print a receipt and bring it to your interview.

Canadian travelers are cautioned to ensure they have the correct U.S. visa category before initiating payment, as mistakes can lead to additional delays. The advisory also mentions that the U.S. embassy in Ottawa and the Canadian embassy in Washington, D.C., have posted FAQ pages on how to handle the fee, which can be found on the Department of Global Affairs website under “U.S. travel information” (https://www.international.gc.ca/travel/visa-travel.aspx).

The VIF is due at the time of the visa application, and it is non‑refundable. Travelers who have already paid the fee will see it reflected in their online visa profile and can print a confirmation for their records. The advisory stresses that it’s best to keep a digital copy in case the paper receipt is lost.

Why Canada Issued a Travel Advisory

Canada’s travel advisory comes amid a broader wave of U.S. policy shifts aimed at tightening border security and tightening visa processes. The U.S. has recently announced a range of “security measures” that will affect travelers from countries with high travel volumes, and the VIF is part of that effort. The Canadian government’s goal in issuing the advisory is simply to keep its citizens well-informed and avoid “unexpected costs or complications” when they travel to the U.S.

In a statement accompanying the advisory, the Department of Global Affairs’ spokesperson emphasized that Canada will continue to monitor U.S. policy changes and advise Canadians accordingly. “We want our citizens to be fully prepared for any travel-related fees or changes that may affect their trips,” the spokesperson said. “The VIF is a new requirement that will impact a broad range of Canadian travelers, and we urge them to factor it into their planning.”

Impact on Canadian Travelers

For many Canadians, the $100 fee may feel like a small price to pay for a business trip or a vacation. But for students, exchange visitors, or professionals on short-term assignments, the fee can represent a sizable increase in travel costs—especially when combined with other visa fees, travel insurance, and airfare.

Travelers who have already applied for a U.S. visa in the past 180 days may still need to pay the fee if they are applying for a new visa or renewing a visa that has expired. Some Canadians are already in the process of applying for a new student visa for the upcoming academic year and are now forced to budget for an additional $100. A number of Canadian universities have responded by adding a line item in their international student support budgets to cover the fee, and a handful of student groups on campuses are already holding “Visa Fee Assistance” events to help students understand the new cost.

The travel advisory also notes that the fee does not apply to Canadian citizens traveling on a U.S. visa that is still valid. However, those travelers must still be aware of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s “travel restrictions” and the “no re‑entry” rule that can affect certain visa holders returning from foreign trips.

How Canadians Can Stay Informed

The Department of Global Affairs recommends that Canadians:

• Check the U.S. Department of State website for the latest visa fee information and updates on the Visa Integrity Fee.
• Use the Canadian government’s travel portal (https://travel.gc.ca/) to stay up to date on any advisories that may affect travel to the U.S. or other destinations.
• Keep an eye on their email inbox for any communications from the embassy or consulate regarding their visa application.
• Consult with their employer or educational institution for any assistance programs that may cover the VIF.
• Plan ahead by factoring the fee into their travel budget and scheduling their visa interview well in advance of their planned departure date.

Bottom Line

The new U.S. Visa Integrity Fee is a modest but significant cost that Canadian travelers must now account for when planning trips to the United States. The Canadian government’s travel advisory provides a useful roadmap: it explains who must pay, how to pay, and what other related policies may impact travel. While the fee adds another line item to the travel budget, it also underscores a larger trend of increased scrutiny and procedural complexity at international borders. By staying informed and preparing in advance, Canadians can minimize delays, avoid unexpected expenses, and ensure that their U.S. travel plans go smoothly.

For those ready to take the next steps, the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Integrity Fee page (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-integrity-fee.html) is the official source for payment and policy updates. The Department of Global Affairs’ travel portal (https://travel.gc.ca/) remains the single, authoritative hub for Canadian travel advisories, visa requirements, and health-related information. With both resources at hand, Canadians can confidently navigate the new landscape of U.S. visa travel.