It's the brown people tax. I don't know why anyone from anywhere else would want to come to the US at this point in history. I really wish they wouldn't. Collapse of the tourist industry might...
It's the brown people tax. I don't know why anyone from anywhere else would want to come to the US at this point in history. I really wish they wouldn't. Collapse of the tourist industry might help move things in a more positive direction.
I mean, regardless of interest, this essentially only applies to "brown people" apart from China (which also makes Americans pay $200 for their visa application anyway), since visa-exempt...
I mean, regardless of interest, this essentially only applies to "brown people" apart from China (which also makes Americans pay $200 for their visa application anyway), since visa-exempt countries are exempt from this fee.
Any non-immigrant travelers from countries that are not on the US visa waiver list will need to pay the fee in order to enter the US. That means most tourists coming from Africa, Latin America, and South America, as well as select countries in Asia and the Middle East, will be subject to the new $250 levy.
Maybe, but since tourists are a source of income, it's bad for local economies, sort of like imposing a tariff on yourself. Over-tourism has to be pretty bad for that to be a win overall.
Maybe, but since tourists are a source of income, it's bad for local economies, sort of like imposing a tariff on yourself. Over-tourism has to be pretty bad for that to be a win overall.
Sure, but its already a thing. My family has to pay for a Visa fee of about $185 (nonimmigrant class B visitor visa) to visit me from South America. Likewise my wife had to pay they reciprocal fee...
Sure, but its already a thing. My family has to pay for a Visa fee of about $185 (nonimmigrant class B visitor visa) to visit me from South America. Likewise my wife had to pay they reciprocal fee to visit my family in South America.
I can’t access OP’s link and searching US news is a pain overseas, so forgive my asking: is the fee a new one on top of what exists or are they just rounding everything up to 250? As you said,...
I can’t access OP’s link and searching US news is a pain overseas, so forgive my asking: is the fee a new one on top of what exists or are they just rounding everything up to 250? As you said, there are already som high costs. I remember getting hit with a sizable reciprocal fee when I went to china.
From the article: Also: It reads like 1) a deterrent to potential visitors and 2) a security deposit to make sure visitors leave on time. There are many unknowns, but "may potentially reimburse...
From the article:
Travelers from visa waiver countries who are visiting the US for a reason that requires a special visa will also be required to pay the fee. The fees will apply to all student visas, work visas, and other special visas, including: F-1 and F-2 student visas; J-1 and J-2 exchange visas; H1-b and H-4 temporary work visas, and other employment and visitor categories.
What’s more: the $250 payment will be charged in addition to other visa fees. That means visitors will need to pay it along with any other reciprocity fees, anti-fraud fees, and “machine-readable visa” (MRV) application fees, the amounts of which can vary by visa type.
Also:
According to Envoy Global, the Department of Homeland Security may potentially reimburse visitors if they fully comply with the terms of their visa by departing the US promptly when their visa authorization period ends, extending their nonimmigrant status, or changing their status to lawful permanent resident.
It reads like 1) a deterrent to potential visitors and 2) a security deposit to make sure visitors leave on time. There are many unknowns, but "may potentially reimburse visitors" implies there very well may be no reimbursement. Additionally, DHS is given latitude to increase the fee.
It seems like it may be additional and also apply to more categories of Visas. I'm looking at an article that states "For example, Student visa applicants already must pay $185 application fee and...
It seems like it may be additional and also apply to more categories of Visas.
I'm looking at an article that states "For example, Student visa applicants already must pay $185 application fee and a $350 fee for the student exchange visitor program. The additional $250 fee will bring their total cost to $785."
Many countries are covered under the Visa Waiver Program. Which includes many European and South American countries. www.dsh.gov/visa-waiver-progra
Apparently my home country was removed from the program in 2002.
I am not clear if members of the waiver program countries will be required to pay the new Integrity Fee.
From what I’ve seen it doesn’t apply to ESTA (visa waiver program) entries, although obviously with the chaotic way these things are now being implemented that could easily change on a whim....
From what I’ve seen it doesn’t apply to ESTA (visa waiver program) entries, although obviously with the chaotic way these things are now being implemented that could easily change on a whim.
Apparently the ESTA form does now require social media accounts to be listed, though, so they can easily construct a reason to deny and/or detain pretty much anyone on that basis if they want to.
Other people have poked enough holes in this stupidness already, but I want to air my grievances about the name. A visa is issued by the US government. Not a third party. If the visa doesn’t have...
Other people have poked enough holes in this stupidness already, but I want to air my grievances about the name. A visa is issued by the US government. Not a third party. If the visa doesn’t have integrity, THEN WHY THE FUCK DID YOU ISSUE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE? This isn’t like needing to verify the passport of a country that may not build proper security systems into their passports. This is a fee assessed by the US government to « verify » a document issued by the US government. This would be like being pulled over and asked for your driving license by a California cop, handing them your California drivers license, and then charging you a fee to verify it. It’s your fucking document! I didn’t print it at home, your employer created it! WTF‽
That’s not what this is about. The integrity being maintained is on the side of the visitor — hence it being returned when they leave. It’s like a bail bond, or a bottle deposit. It’s also about...
That’s not what this is about. The integrity being maintained is on the side of the visitor — hence it being returned when they leave. It’s like a bail bond, or a bottle deposit.
According to Envoy Global, the Department of Homeland Security may potentially reimburse visitors if they fully comply with the terms of their visa by departing the US promptly when their visa authorization period ends, extending their nonimmigrant status, or changing their status to lawful permanent resident.
It’s also about putting barriers to deter poor people from entering in the first place, who are in the administration’s estimation, more likely to try to claim asylum or otherwise stay in the country rather than just be tourists.
Interesting point but "may potentially reimburse" is pretty weak language for getting your money back, also $250 is a pretty low amount to act as a deterrent to people causing any sort of issues.
Interesting point but "may potentially reimburse" is pretty weak language for getting your money back, also $250 is a pretty low amount to act as a deterrent to people causing any sort of issues.
I think $250 is perhaps more meaningful to someone whose idea of an economic upgrade is working illegally harvesting crops or doing day labour outside a Home Depot.
I think $250 is perhaps more meaningful to someone whose idea of an economic upgrade is working illegally harvesting crops or doing day labour outside a Home Depot.
To be honest I didn't read down far enough to see that it applied to work/education visas. The title and the first half the article only discussed tourists.
To be honest I didn't read down far enough to see that it applied to work/education visas. The title and the first half the article only discussed tourists.
Other people mentioned the very weak refund wording already. But also, if that was the actual goal, it would be called a deposit, not a fee. Fees are not expected to be refunded. Language matters,...
Other people mentioned the very weak refund wording already. But also, if that was the actual goal, it would be called a deposit, not a fee. Fees are not expected to be refunded. Language matters, and this is a shit use of language.
I don’t know how much can be read into the specific language this administration uses. Much of this policy is not really thought out in detail. The main idea here though is pretty straightforward:...
I don’t know how much can be read into the specific language this administration uses. Much of this policy is not really thought out in detail. The main idea here though is pretty straightforward: economic disincentives to reduce the number of people from certain ethnicities or cultures from immigrating.
In fairness, that would be a very American thing to do…
This would be like being pulled over and asked for your driving license by a California cop, handing them your California drivers license, and then charging you a fee to verify it.
In fairness, that would be a very American thing to do…
It's the brown people tax. I don't know why anyone from anywhere else would want to come to the US at this point in history. I really wish they wouldn't. Collapse of the tourist industry might help move things in a more positive direction.
I mean, regardless of interest, this essentially only applies to "brown people" apart from China (which also makes Americans pay $200 for their visa application anyway), since visa-exempt countries are exempt from this fee.
From the article:
Prepare yourself for reciprocal fees if you plan on traveling anywhere.
Maybe, but since tourists are a source of income, it's bad for local economies, sort of like imposing a tariff on yourself. Over-tourism has to be pretty bad for that to be a win overall.
Sure, but its already a thing. My family has to pay for a Visa fee of about $185 (nonimmigrant class B visitor visa) to visit me from South America. Likewise my wife had to pay they reciprocal fee to visit my family in South America.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/fees-visa-services.html
I can’t access OP’s link and searching US news is a pain overseas, so forgive my asking: is the fee a new one on top of what exists or are they just rounding everything up to 250? As you said, there are already som high costs. I remember getting hit with a sizable reciprocal fee when I went to china.
From the article:
Also:
It reads like 1) a deterrent to potential visitors and 2) a security deposit to make sure visitors leave on time. There are many unknowns, but "may potentially reimburse visitors" implies there very well may be no reimbursement. Additionally, DHS is given latitude to increase the fee.
It seems like it may be additional and also apply to more categories of Visas.
I'm looking at an article that states "For example, Student visa applicants already must pay $185 application fee and a $350 fee for the student exchange visitor program. The additional $250 fee will bring their total cost to $785."
Many countries are covered under the Visa Waiver Program. Which includes many European and South American countries.
www.dsh.gov/visa-waiver-progra
Apparently my home country was removed from the program in 2002.
I am not clear if members of the waiver program countries will be required to pay the new Integrity Fee.
From what I’ve seen it doesn’t apply to ESTA (visa waiver program) entries, although obviously with the chaotic way these things are now being implemented that could easily change on a whim.
Apparently the ESTA form does now require social media accounts to be listed, though, so they can easily construct a reason to deny and/or detain pretty much anyone on that basis if they want to.
Other people have poked enough holes in this stupidness already, but I want to air my grievances about the name. A visa is issued by the US government. Not a third party. If the visa doesn’t have integrity, THEN WHY THE FUCK DID YOU ISSUE IT IN THE FIRST PLACE? This isn’t like needing to verify the passport of a country that may not build proper security systems into their passports. This is a fee assessed by the US government to « verify » a document issued by the US government. This would be like being pulled over and asked for your driving license by a California cop, handing them your California drivers license, and then charging you a fee to verify it. It’s your fucking document! I didn’t print it at home, your employer created it! WTF‽
That’s not what this is about. The integrity being maintained is on the side of the visitor — hence it being returned when they leave. It’s like a bail bond, or a bottle deposit.
It’s also about putting barriers to deter poor people from entering in the first place, who are in the administration’s estimation, more likely to try to claim asylum or otherwise stay in the country rather than just be tourists.
Interesting point but "may potentially reimburse" is pretty weak language for getting your money back, also $250 is a pretty low amount to act as a deterrent to people causing any sort of issues.
I think $250 is perhaps more meaningful to someone whose idea of an economic upgrade is working illegally harvesting crops or doing day labour outside a Home Depot.
To be honest I didn't read down far enough to see that it applied to work/education visas. The title and the first half the article only discussed tourists.
Other people mentioned the very weak refund wording already. But also, if that was the actual goal, it would be called a deposit, not a fee. Fees are not expected to be refunded. Language matters, and this is a shit use of language.
I don’t know how much can be read into the specific language this administration uses. Much of this policy is not really thought out in detail. The main idea here though is pretty straightforward: economic disincentives to reduce the number of people from certain ethnicities or cultures from immigrating.
In fairness, that would be a very American thing to do…
It absolutely would. We already bill people at high-end hotel rates for stays in jail, even if they are released without charge or found innocent.