Category: 2. World

The United States will soon require most foreign nationals applying for non-immigrant visas to pay a new “visa integrity fee” of at least $250, under a provision in the Trump administration’s newly passed domestic policy bill, according to a CNN report.

The non-refundable upfront fee, which could be reimbursed only after visa holders prove compliance with immigration rules, is aimed at curbing overstays, strengthening border security, and funding enforcement efforts, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The new charge will apply to nearly all international visitors requiring a non-immigrant visa, including students, workers, and business travellers — but not tourists from Visa Waiver Programme countries such as the UK, Australia, or many EU nations.

The policy’s rollout date remains unclear as DHS says the fee requires inter-agency coordination. The State Department confirmed it will publish details on its visa information page once implementation procedures are finalised.

Under the provision, travellers who fully comply with visa terms may request a refund, although immigration lawyers caution that the process will likely be burdensome and is currently undefined.

The US Travel Association sharply criticised the move, calling it a “step backward” that could discourage international visitors.

The group estimated it would increase visa-related costs by 144%, adding financial complexity that might deter tourism and business travel.

The policy states the fee will be set at $250 or a higher amount as determined by the Secretary of Homeland Security, with annual inflation adjustments.

Unclaimed fees will be deposited into the US Treasury’s general fund.

Dreaming of Times Square selfies or an L.A. beach vacation? Hold up—there’s a new fee in town. Starting sometime in the near future, as per reports, the Trump administration is rolling out a brand-new $250 “visa integrity fee.” And yep, that’s on top of what you already pay.

Wait—how much are we talking?

If you’re from India and applying for a standard tourist visa (B‑1/B‑2), your costs just jumped from around ₹15,800 (that’s $185) to nearly ₹40,000 (about $472).And it’s not just tourists. Students, temporary workers, exchange visitors—you’re all included in this new fee club. H‑1Bs, F-1s, Js… nobody’s dodging this.

Can you get refund?

Technically, yes—but there are terms and conditions. To get a refund:

When’s this happening?

The fee was passed as part of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” on July 4. But there’s no fixed start date yet. Agencies like USCIS and the State Department are still figuring out who collects the money, how, and when.All we know is, it’s coming—they’ve promised to “coordinate and release details” soon.

So who’s actually affected?

Pretty much everyone who needs a nonimmigrant visa to get into the U.S. That includes:

Basically, if you’re not from a visa-waiver country, the fee applies to you.Exempt folks? Citizens of countries like the UK, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Germany, and most of Europe are off the hook. Oh, and most Canadians too.

Why add this fee anyway?

Lawmakers say it’s like a security deposit—a way to make sure visitors play by the rules and leave on time. The fee is expected to rake in between $28 to $40 billion over the next decade.But travel pros? Not thrilled. Some say it could scare away the very people who bring in tourism money—especially students and group travelers.

Will this hurt US tourism?

Short answer: probably.States like California, Florida, and New York—huge tourist magnets—might feel the heat. Add in big upcoming events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics, and that’s a lot of money potentially walking away.

So what should you do?

Budget wisely: That extra ₹20,000 could mess with your trip plans or study abroad dreams.Stay updated: The rollout could change fast. Keep an eye on announcements from the U.S. consulate or embassy.In short: the US just got a bit pricier for travelers. Whether you’re heading there for a holiday, college, or work, get ready to cough up more—and maybe start looking for cheaper destinations, just in case.Disclaimer:The information provided in this article is based on currently available reports and official statements as of July 2025. Visa policies, fees, and procedures are subject to change and may vary by individual case. Travelers are strongly advised to check with the official U.S. Department of State, U.S. embassy or consulate websites for the most up-to-date and accurate information before making travel plans or visa applications. This content is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice.

Thai F-16 fighter jets struck military sites in neighboring Cambodia as a border dispute between the Southeast Asian nations, stretching back decades, erupted in fresh violence that killed at least 11 people.

Both nations accused the other of starting the worst border violence in about 14 years, which also left dozens injured amid clashes in six locations along their frontier.

BBC News and three leading news agencies have expressed desperate concern for journalists in Gaza, who they say are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families.

Those reporting the conflict from Gaza now face starvation and “the same dire circumstances as those they are covering,” a joint statement from BBC News, Agence France-Presse (AFP), Associated Press (AP) and Reuters said.

“For many months, these independent journalists have been the world’s eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza”, it reads.

International news outlets rely on local reporters within Gaza, as Israel does not allow foreign media, including BBC News, to send journalists into the territory.

It comes as more than 100 international aid organisations and human rights groups have warned of mass starvation in Gaza.

The full statement reads: “We are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families.

“For many months, these independent journalists have been the world’s eyes and ears on the ground in Gaza. They are now facing the same dire circumstances as those they are covering.

“Journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in warzones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them.

“We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.”

In a separate joint statement, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Save the Children and Oxfam, said their colleagues and the people they serve were “wasting away”.

But Israel, which controls the entry of supplies into Gaza, has accused the charities of “serving the propaganda of Hamas”.

Since Sunday, 45 Palestinians have died as a result of malnutrition, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Israel prevented aid deliveries to Gaza in early March following a two-month ceasefire.

The blockade was partially lifted after nearly two months, but food and medicine shortages have worsened.

Israel, along with the US, helped to establish a controversial new aid system run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Hundreds of killings have been recorded in the vicinity of GHF’s aid sites since they began operating eight weeks ago.

The World Health Organization has said that a quarter of Gaza’s population is facing famine-like conditions, according to its assessments.

On Wednesday, its director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said: “I don’t know what you would call it other than mass starvation, and it’s man-made.

“And that’s very clear, this is because of the blockade.”

A Russian Antonov An-24 passenger plane carrying about 50 people crashed in the country’s far east on Thursday and everyone on board was feared to have been killed, emergency services officials said.

The burning fuselage of the plane, which was made in the Soviet era and was nearly 50 years old, was spotted on the ground by a helicopter and rescue crews were rushing to the scene.

Video shot from a helicopter and posted on social media, showed the plane came down in a densely forested area. Pale smoke could be seen rising from the crash site.

The plane was on a flight by a privately owned Siberian-based regional airline called Angara. The aircraft’s tail number showed it was built in 1976 and was operated by Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot before the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.

The plane was en route from the city of Blagoveshchensk to Tynda, a remote town and important railway junction in the Amur region bordering China. It dropped off radar screens while preparing to land.

There were 43 passengers, including five children, and six crew members on board according to preliminary data, Vasily Orlov, the regional governor said.

The federal Russian government put the number of passengers on board at 42.

Debris from the plane was found on a hill around 15 km (10 miles) from Tynda, the Interfax news agency quoted emergency service officials as saying.

“During the search operation, an Mi-8 helicopter belonging to Rossaviatsiya discovered the fuselage of the aircraft, which was on fire,” the emergency services ministry said on Telegram.

“Rescuers continue to make their way to the scene of the accident.”

A representative from Angara told Reuters they could not offer any more details.

The federal Russian government said it had set up a commission to deal with the aftermath of the crash and authorities announced an investigation into the cause.

The Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin had been notified of the crash.

Angara airline is based in the Siberian city of Irkutsk and serves airports in Siberia and Russia’s far east. It operates 10 An-24s built between 1972 and 1976, according to the RussianPlanes web-portal.

Angara was one of two Siberian airlines that last year asked the Russian government to extend the service life of the Antonov aircraft, many of which are over 50 years old, as Russian planemakers scramble to plug the gap left by an exodus of foreign manufacturers.

Nicknamed “flying tractors” by some, the propeller-driven An-24s are regarded as reliable workhorses by the Russian aviation industry and are well-suited to the harsh conditions in Siberia as they are able to operate in sub-zero conditions and don’t have to land on runways.

But airline executives, pilots and industry experts say the cost of maintaining the Antonovs — which make up a fraction of Russia’s fleet of over 1,000 passenger planes — has increased after Western sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine hit investment and access to parts.

Many of the planes were due to be retired from service in the coming years, but regional airlines are trying to keep them flying until a replacement enters into service as they say there is no alternative until then.

Mass production of the new Ladoga aircraft, the same class as the An-24, is not due to begin until 2027 at the earliest.