How New Visa Fees In The 'Big Beautiful Bill" Could Spoil The 2026 World Cup

Key Concepts:

• Non-immigrant visa fees
• Visa integrity fee
• US Travel Association
• World Travel and Tourism Council
• FIFA World Cup 2026
• US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Impact of Increased Non-Immigrant Visa Fees

President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful" bill introduces significant increases to non-immigrant visa fees, set to take effect in 2026. This coincides with the US's efforts to attract visitors for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

New Visa Integrity Fee

The bill includes a new $250 "visa integrity fee" for most non-immigrant US visas, including tourist, student, and work visas, starting in 2026. This fee was added by Republican lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee.

Rationale Behind the Fee

The new fee is one of 22 immigration fees in the bill, designed to "encourage lawful conduct among foreign nationals visiting the United States."

Criticism from Tourism Officials

Critics, including US tourism officials, argue that the increased fees will deter international visitors from coming to the United States.

US Travel Association's Concerns

Jeff Freeman, president of the US Travel Association, stated that "Raising fees on lawful international visitors amounts to a self-imposed tariff on one of our nation's largest exports, international travel spending."

Economic Impact of International Visitors

International visitors spent $254 billion on US travel and tourism in 2024.

Projected Decline in International Visitor Spending

A World Travel and Tourism Council study predicted that the US would be the only country to see international visitor spending decline in 2025.

World Cup 2026 Economic Projections

In March, FIFA projected that the World Cup 2026 would drive $30.5 billion in economic output in the US, according to an analysis by Open Economics. This projection assumes a significant influx of visitors from foreign countries.

Concerns About Missed Tourism Revenue

Julia Simpson, president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Council, stated, "While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the US government is putting up the closed sign." The US tourism industry is on track to miss out on $29 billion in tourism revenue this year.

Investment in Border Security

The bill includes $4.1 billion to hire and train at least 5,000 new US Customs and Border Protection officers and $2 billion in CBP retention bonuses to address staffing shortages at the agency.

Conclusion

The implementation of increased non-immigrant visa fees, particularly the $250 visa integrity fee, is expected to negatively impact international tourism to the US. While the bill aims to encourage lawful conduct and bolster border security, concerns are raised about the potential loss of billions in tourism revenue and the US's competitiveness in attracting international visitors, especially in light of the upcoming World Cup 2026.