The United States has announced the implementation of a new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, set to take effect on January 1, 2026, for all non-immigrant visa applicants. The fee, part of the recently signed “Big Beautiful Bill” by President Donald Trump on July 4, 2025, is being promoted as a refundable compliance deposit intended to deter visa overstays.
For travellers from Dominica, the policy is expected to significantly increase the cost of securing a U.S. visa. In addition to standard visa processing fees, Dominicans applying for B1/B2 tourist visas will now need to pay this additional deposit, raising the total expense to well over EC$1,300. The fee will only be refunded if the traveller fully complies with visa conditions and leaves the United States within the approved timeframe.
This development comes at a time when many Dominicans rely on travel to the U.S. for medical treatment, education, family visits, and business. Critics argue that the measure could disproportionately affect small island nations like Dominica, where incomes are lower and visa access already poses financial and bureaucratic hurdles.
While the U.S. government claims the fee will promote accountability, no exemptions have yet been announced for students, elderly travelers, or those applying on humanitarian grounds. The policy also raises questions about how it might impact holders of a Dominica passport, including those with Dominica citizenship acquired through investment programs like our Citizenship by Investment (CBI).
Officials from Dominica’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs have yet to comment on the implications of the new U.S. visa policy, but concerns are growing among Dominican families and frequent travelers. The Dominican diaspora, many of whom support relatives back home, are also watching the situation closely.
Further guidelines from the U.S. State Department are expected before the policy takes effect in early 2026.
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