Another change incoming.
A new change may be coming for tourists applying for a U.S. visa. The Trump administration is considering offering expedited interview appointments for those willing to pay $1,000 for the privilege. This would apply to all non-immigrant visa applicants and could go into effect in December.
Currently, the U.S. charges a $185 processing fee for visa applicants. The application process requires a range of documents, including financial statements, and applicants must schedule an in-person interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate before receiving approval. The proposed $1,000 fee would allow some applicants to skip the wait and secure earlier interview slots. However, experts note that the measure may not be approved by the White House budget office and could face legal challenges in court.
In 2023, the U.S. issued 10.4 million visas, with more than half being tourist visas. However, amid a wave of new immigration policies, international tourists are increasingly hesitant to visit, and tourism spending is expected to decline this year.
Among other recent changes, the administration introduced the so-called Gold Card visa, which President Trump described as a “bargain” in February. This program would allow wealthy individuals to purchase a pathway to citizenship for $5 million. Critics argue that such policies disproportionately benefit the wealthy while penalizing lower-income applicants.
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Related: What Would a $5 Million U.S. Gold Card Visa Offer? Citizenship Could Be on the Table
Other Trump Administration Policies Impacting Foreign Travel to U.S.
Last week, President Trump signed an order banning foreign nationals from 12 countries from entering the U.S. The ban, which took effect June 9, fully restricts entry from Afghanistan, Haiti, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Myanmar, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Equatorial Guinea, and Eritrea. Partial bans are in place for seven other countries: Cuba, Sierra Leone, Burundi, Laos, Togo, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan.
Meanwhile, the federal government is locked in a battle with elite universities—particularly Harvard—over the enrollment of foreign students. In the 2023–24 academic year, international students contributed $43.8 billion to the U.S. economy. The implications of these restrictions could be severe for local businesses as well as universities.
The government has specifically targeted students involved in pro-Palestinian protests and has begun revoking student visas for Chinese citizens. It has also paused all international student visa interviews, leaving many students in limbo. A judge recently ordered the government to resume processing visas for Harvard students, but the current climate is making many international students wary of studying in the U.S.
In one recent incident, a video circulated on social media showing an Indian student handcuffed at Newark Airport, sparking concern over the treatment of immigrant students.
Tourist arrivals are also declining amid policy shifts and increased detentions. Some countries are warning their citizens about the rollback of LGBTQ+ rights and the reversal of diversity efforts in the U.S., citing potential threats. Canadians, in particular, have expressed frustration over tariff disputes and President Trump’s repeated comments about making Canada the 51st state.
If international boycotts continue, the U.S. is projected to lose more than $90 billion in economic impact.
Related: A Running List of Countries Issuing U.S. Travel Advisories
