US approves extra R$1,400 fee for visa issuance amid Trump's tariff hike

Amid trade tensions over President Donald Trump 's decision to tax countries like Brazil , the United States Congress approved an extra fee of US$250 (R$1,400, at the current exchange rate) for issuing American visas.

Called the "Visa Integrity Fee," it is not yet clear when the new amount will start to be charged, but it could be for the United States fiscal year 2026, which begins on October 1, 2025.

The fee will apply to most foreigners seeking a visa, including tourists and business travelers (category B), students (F), exchange students (J), temporary workers (H), and athletes and artists (P), among others.

Types of American visas:

• Immigrants: for foreign nationals who want to reside permanently in the United States
• Non-immigrants: temporary travel, including tourism, temporary work, study and exchange.

The new fee will be charged at the time of issuance for those in the second category. Currently, the cost to apply for a US Tourist visa is US$185 . With the approval of the new fee, the total cost will increase to US$459 .

With the rule, foreigners will have to pay the amount already established for the document (US$ 185), the new fee (US$ 250) and another US$ 24 for the visa registration form, which represents an increase of more than 130%.

• Application Fee (MRV): $185
• Visa Integrity Fee (Extra): US$250
• Form I-94: $24

At today's exchange rate, the total cost would exceed R$2,500 . However, according to the approved text, the additional amount may be reimbursed if the immigrant meets all the requirements set by the US government.

The refund may be made to a foreigner who has fulfilled all the conditions of the nonimmigrant visa after entering the United States, including

• Do not accept unauthorized employment;
• Did not seek to extend his/her stay in the US during the validity of the visa and departed the country within 5 days after the last day of that period;
• During the validity of the visa, he obtained authorization to be a legal resident