Hyderabad: Students Hit by New $250 US Visa Fee, Dream of Studying Abroad Gets Expensive. Study plans in the US are getting more expensive, and the new $250 visa fee worries students. Hyderabad’s Millions of Indian students still want to study abroad, and every year, thousands of young people from Hyderabad go to the United States to get a higher education. But now, this dream is likely to cost more.
Starting in 2026, there will be a new visa fee.
The “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which the President of the United States signed into law on July 4, 2025, adds a new fee related to visas. The law will go into effect in 2026. It specifically targets students who are applying for non-immigrant visas, especially those in categories F and M, which are often used for academic programs.
Fee to serve as a security deposit
The new Visa Integrity Fee is not like a normal visa application fee; it is being treated as a security deposit. Students who finish their studies and leave the US within five days of their visa expiring will be able to get this money back. But the process for getting a refund requires a lot of paperwork, which students say is complicated and takes a long time. The uncertainty makes them wonder if they can easily get their money back.
Hyderabad’s students are becoming more and more worried
Hyderabad has long been one of India’s most important cities for students who want to study abroad, especially in the US. Local education counselors say that this extra fee will make things even harder for middle-class families, who are already struggling with the rising cost of the US dollar and visa processing and tuition.
One student, who wanted to stay anonymous, said he was going to apply for a master’s program in the US but is now thinking about going to Canada or Europe instead because of the extra costs.
Students are confused by the complicated refund process.
Another big worry is that the $250 amount is technically refundable, but the long and unclear refund process makes it hard to trust that you’ll get the money back. Students are worried that even a small delay in leaving the US or forgetting to fill out paperwork could mean losing the whole deposit.
Expected to go up with inflation
The uncertainty surrounding the $250 Visa Integrity Fee further intensifies their concerns. According to US government policy, the amount will change every year based on inflation. The change means that students who apply in the future may have to pay even more. The change has made people worry that the cost of going to school in the US could keep going up in the next few years.
This situation represents a significant setback for Indian students who wish to study abroad.
Many people think that the new visa fee is a big problem for Indian students, especially those from families with middle incomes. The US government sees it as a way to make immigration rules stricter, but for students, it’s just another financial obstacle on an already expensive and difficult journey.
The rule will take effect in 2026, so its global impact on students is unknown. A lot of education experts think that more and more students may now look for cheaper, more student-friendly countries, which would make the US a less appealing place to study abroad.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and public interest purposes only. The content is based on publicly available reports and trusted sources. We do not offer opinions on any government policy or institution. Readers are advised to consult the official website for complete and up-to-date information before applying for a visa.
