Mexicans criticise Trump’s new $250 ‘visa integrity fee’ as cost of visiting U.S. soars: Video
Mexicans have expressed frustration over a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” introduced by the Trump administration for all first-time and renewing U.S. visa applicants, calling it an unfair burden that could price out low-income travellers.
For many, the move makes an already expensive process even harder. “For all persons renewing or applying for a visa for the first time, it is clearly a considerably high cost due to the issue of living expenses,” said Karim Montes, a Mexican traveller waiting outside the U.S. embassy in Mexico City.
The new fee, officially called the Integrity Visa Payment, is intended as a guarantee that travellers will return to their home country, according to U.S. officials.
“They call it Integrity Visa, which is a payment that has to be made as a kind of guarantee that you are going to return to your country,” explained Roberto Ortigoza, an immigration attorney at Anderson Immigration Law Group. He further told Viory, “What is the misuse [the U.S. is targeting]? People staying beyond their allowed time or working without authorisation. This is a measure to stop that from happening.”
However, Ortigoza warned that the combined cost, now $435 total ($185 for the regular B1/B2 visa plus $250 for the new fee), will inevitably reduce the number of people able to afford travel to the U.S.
“It is high, and yes, it will affect many. But the need is a priority, people will look for ways and means to obtain this resource and process the visa,” he said.
Meanwhile, the U.S. embassy in Mexico has not commented on whether the fee could be refunded if travellers comply with their visa terms.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
