South Korea Joins Japan, China, Thailand, India, Singapore, and Others to Face a Significant Hike in Travel Visa Charges in the US as Government Raises Visa Application Fees From January 1, 2026: All You Need to Know Before Planning a Trip

Published on December 14, 2025

Starting January 1, 2026, South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, India, Singapore, and others will face a significant hike in U.S. travel visa charges as the government raises visa application fees. This fee increase will affect a wide range of visa categories, including those for work, study, and tourism, making the U.S. a more expensive destination for many international travelers. As part of an annual inflation adjustment, fees for popular visas such as the B-1/B-2, F-1, and H-1B, along with the introduction of a new $25 Visa Integrity Fee, will significantly impact applicants from these countries. This article covers everything you need to know about the upcoming changes and how they may influence your travel and immigration plans to the U.S.

South Korea: Impact of Rising U.S. Immigration and Travel Fees

As a major partner in U.S. immigration and travel, South Korea will likely see an increase in the cost of several forms, particularly for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and non-immigrant visa applications, which may affect students, workers, and other travelers. The rise in fees for visas like B-1/B-2 and F-1, as well as the new $25 Visa Integrity Fee, could make the U.S. a more expensive destination for South Koreans. South Korea’s strong ties with the U.S. in both trade and tourism might also experience a slight dip in travel demand due to these fee hikes. South Korean applicants will need to plan accordingly to avoid delays by submitting forms before the fee increases take effect.

Japan: Increased Costs for U.S. Travel and Work Visas

Japanese citizens, who frequently apply for work visas, student visas, and ESTA authorization, will feel the pinch of rising fees. As the fees for popular visa categories like H-1B and F-1 increase, this could discourage some individuals from seeking U.S. employment or academic opportunities. Additionally, the new $25 Visa Integrity Fee, anticipated to affect many non-immigrant visas, might impact the overall number of Japanese travelers to the U.S. Japan, with its significant business and educational exchanges with the U.S., will likely experience a slowdown in some visa applications as individuals and businesses may reconsider the increased costs.

China: Increased Costs and Potential Delays in U.S. Visa Applications

China, with its large number of U.S. visa applicants each year, will likely face a substantial impact from the fee increases. The adjustments to forms like the F-1 student visa, J-1 exchange visitor visa, and H-1B work visa will directly affect Chinese applicants. For those seeking U.S. employment or higher education, the added fees may contribute to a reduction in applications, particularly as they already face challenges in the visa approval process. Furthermore, the new Visa Integrity Fee could increase the financial burden, making the U.S. a less attractive destination for Chinese travelers and students.

Thailand: Increased Visa and Travel Costs for U.S. Visitors

Thai citizens who frequently apply for U.S. tourist visas (B-1/B-2) and other non-immigrant visas are likely to face higher costs with the implementation of new fees. The increase in visa application fees, coupled with the introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee, will increase the financial burden on Thai nationals who often visit the U.S. for tourism, business, or short-term educational programs. This could potentially result in fewer people from Thailand opting to visit the U.S. as a direct consequence of the increased visa-related expenses.

India: Financial Impact of Rising Fees for U.S. Visa Applicants

India, which has a large number of applicants for work visas (such as H-1B) and student visas (F-1), will experience significant effects from the rising U.S. immigration fees. The increases will directly impact Indian applicants, especially those pursuing work opportunities in the tech sector or higher education in the U.S. While many Indian nationals rely on visas like the H-1B, the increase in application and authorization fees may prompt some to reconsider their plans or delay their applications. Additionally, the $25 Visa Integrity Fee might further discourage Indian citizens from applying for certain non-immigrant visas, leading to a potential decrease in U.S. visa demand from India.

Singapore: Increased Costs for U.S. Work, Student, and Tourist Visas

Singapore, known for its strong ties to the U.S. in business, education, and tourism, will see rising costs for various visa categories such as the B-1/B-2 (business and tourist) and F-1 (student) visas. The new fee structure, including increases in fees for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) and the $25 Visa Integrity Fee, could lead to higher overall costs for Singaporean nationals applying for U.S. visas. While Singaporeans are less likely to be deterred by these increases compared to other countries, the added expense may influence the decisions of students and professionals seeking U.S. opportunities. Additionally, those applying for ESTA may face a slight increase, which could alter short-term travel plans.

Rising Fees for US Immigration and Travel Applications Effective January 1, 2026

Starting January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and various Department of Homeland Security (DHS) components, such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), will implement annual fee increases for several immigration-related services. These increases are part of an inflation adjustment process based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) for the fiscal year from July 2024 to July 2025. Applicants for forms like the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) should be aware of the changes to avoid delays. Some fees, like the ESTA authorization, will see minimal increases, while others, such as Parole and TPS-related applications, will experience a modest rise. It’s important to note that forms submitted with incorrect or insufficient fees after January 1, 2026, will likely be rejected, causing delays in processing. Applicants wishing to avoid these increases should consider submitting their applications before December 31, 2025.

Starting January 1, 2026, South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, India, Singapore, and others will face a significant hike in U.S. travel visa charges as the government raises visa application fees. Here’s what you need to know.

Conclusion

Starting January 1, 2026, South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, India, Singapore, and other countries will face a significant hike in U.S. travel visa charges as the government raises visa application fees. This increase, driven by an inflation adjustment process, will affect a variety of visa categories, including work, student, and tourist visas. The new fees, along with the introduction of the Visa Integrity Fee, will likely make the U.S. a more expensive destination for travelers from these countries. Applicants must be aware of these changes and plan accordingly, as submitting applications with incorrect fees after the effective date could result in delays or rejections. Understanding these fee adjustments is crucial for anyone planning to visit or immigrate to the U.S. from these regions in the near future.