UK Joins France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, and Others in Europe to Face a Significant Hike in Visa Fees and New Travel Charges to US Under One Big Beautiful Bill: Everything You Need to Know

Published on November 24, 2025

UK, along with France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, and others in Europe, will face a significant hike in visa fees and new travel charges to the U.S. under the One Big Beautiful Bill, due to increased costs and stricter border enforcement measures. This comprehensive update to U.S. visa and travel regulations introduces a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which will affect travelers from these countries, raising the overall cost of securing a U.S. visa. Additionally, the bill includes increased fees for the ESTA program and other non-immigrant visa applications, alongside enhanced funding for border enforcement to reduce processing times. While these changes aim to strengthen U.S. security, they have raised concerns among international travelers about longer wait times and increased entry scrutiny. Here’s everything you need to know about how the new bill will impact European visitors traveling to the United States.In conclusion, the UK, along with France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, and other European nations, will face a significant hike in visa fees and new travel charges to the U.S. under the One Big Beautiful Bill. This bill introduces the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which, combined with higher visa application costs and stricter border enforcement measures, will impact travelers from these countries. While the bill aims to enhance security and streamline entry procedures, the increased costs and potential delays at U.S. ports of entry may deter some international visitors. As these changes come into effect, European travelers will need to adjust to the new financial and logistical requirements for U.S. travel, making it crucial to stay informed about the evolving regulations under this sweeping update.

Overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill

The One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) represents a comprehensive update to U.S. visa and travel regulations, introducing several significant changes that will impact both U.S. travelers and international visitors. One of the most notable provisions is the introduction of a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which will apply to most non-immigrant visa applicants, including tourists, students, and exchange visitors. Additionally, the bill increases several existing travel-related fees, such as the ESTA fee for Visa Waiver Program countries, and mandates inflation-based adjustments for certain fees. In terms of enforcement, the bill allocates funding to hire more Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, aiming to reduce wait times at U.S. ports of entry. However, the bill has raised concerns among tourism officials, who argue that these changes may deter international visitors, especially with major global events like the World Cup and Olympics approaching. Below is a summary of the key changes:

Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill on Travelers from Key Tourism Markets

United Kingdom: UK travelers will be affected by the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which will increase the cost of obtaining a U.S. tourist visa. In addition, the bill’s funding for enhanced border enforcement measures may result in longer processing times and more rigorous entry checks at U.S. ports, potentially causing delays for British travelers.

France: French nationals will face the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, raising the overall cost of U.S. tourist and non-immigrant visas. The increased funding for border enforcement in the bill may result in stricter entry procedures at U.S. ports, leading to potential delays and more thorough checks for French visitors.

Italy: Italian travelers will see an increase in the cost of obtaining a U.S. visa due to the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. Along with this, enhanced border enforcement measures in the bill could result in longer visa processing times and more rigorous entry procedures at U.S. ports of entry, potentially causing inconvenience for Italian nationals.

Spain: Spanish nationals will be impacted by the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, raising the cost of U.S. tourist and non-immigrant visas. With additional funding for border enforcement, Spanish travelers may face more stringent entry checks and potentially longer wait times during their U.S. visa processing.

Greece: Greek travelers will experience a higher cost for obtaining U.S. visas due to the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. The bill’s focus on increasing border security may lead to stricter entry procedures and more detailed checks for Greek nationals, resulting in potential delays at U.S. ports of entry.

Germany: German nationals will be subject to the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which will raise the cost of securing a U.S. visa. The additional funding for enhanced border enforcement could result in longer processing times and heightened scrutiny at U.S. entry points, potentially delaying German travelers.

Austria: Austrian travelers will see the cost of obtaining a U.S. visa increase due to the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. The bill’s emphasis on enhanced border enforcement could lead to stricter entry procedures at U.S. ports, possibly causing longer wait times and more detailed checks for Austrian nationals.

Poland: Polish nationals will be impacted by the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which will raise the overall cost of US visas. With the bill’s increased funding for border enforcement, Polish travelers may face more stringent entry checks and potentially longer visa processing times at U.S. ports of entry.

UK, along with France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, and others in Europe, will face a significant hike in visa fees and new travel charges to the U.S. under the One Big Beautiful Bill, due to increased costs and stricter border enforcement measures.

Conclusion

UK, along with France, Italy, Greece, Germany, Spain, and other European nations, will face a significant hike in visa fees and new travel charges to the U.S. under the One Big Beautiful Bill. This bill introduces the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, which, combined with higher visa application costs and stricter border enforcement measures, will impact travelers from these countries. While the bill aims to enhance security and streamline entry procedures, the increased costs and potential delays at U.S. ports of entry may deter some international visitors. As these changes come into effect, European travelers will need to adjust to the new financial and logistical requirements for U.S. travel, making it crucial to stay informed about the evolving regulations under this sweeping update.