New US Visa Rules 2025: Updated Fees, Interview Requirements, and Application Changes

The United States is implementing major changes to its immigration system in 2025, introducing new fees and stricter application rules for foreign visitors and workers.

The government has tightened the long-standing “Dropbox” programme, which previously allowed certain visa applicants to renew without an in-person interview. Children under 14 and adults over 79 must now attend interviews unless they qualify for a limited exemption. 

Holders of student and work visas, including F-1 and H-1B categories, are also affected. Applicants whose previous visas expired within the past year are no longer eligible for interview waivers, reflecting a broader move towards increased scrutiny.

The Department of State has also updated its policy on interview locations. From November 2025, immigrant visa applicants must attend interviews within the consular district of their residence or, if they choose, in their country of nationality. 

The change aims to improve efficiency but may pose difficulties for applicants who previously relied on more flexible arrangements, particularly those in areas with limited consular services. Significant fee increases accompany these procedural reforms. 

The Employment Authorisation Document (EAD), required for foreign nationals seeking work in the US, now costs $470 for online applications and $520 for paper filings. Groups that were previously exempt, such as asylum seekers, parolees, and individuals under Temporary Protected Status, must now pay the same fees.

Additional costs have been introduced for travellers through new charges, including the Visa Integrity Fee and a fee for the I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. These come on top of existing visa processing costs and higher fees for systems such as ESTA and EVUS. The result is a substantial rise in the overall expense of travelling to or studying in the United States.

The most significant increase affects the H-1B visa programme. Under a presidential proclamation signed in September, employers must pay a $100,000 fee for each new petition to hire a foreign worker. The fee does not apply to renewals or existing visa holders, but the one-time charge for new petitions represents an unprecedented cost for employers.

Supporters of the measure argue that it will discourage misuse of the programme and support domestic hiring. Critics, however, warn that the increase could limit access to international talent and affect sectors that depend on highly skilled foreign workers.

The Visa Integrity Fee, introduced through the “One Big Beautiful Bill” signed on 4 July, applies to all non-immigrant visa categories, including tourist, student, and exchange visas. The government says the measure is intended to strengthen the credibility of the visa system, though applicants will face higher overall costs.