Overview of current visa and entry requirements in the USA

With the adoption of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" in July 2025, the so-called "Visa Integrity Fee" was introduced, which means rising costs for travelers and companies. In future, the additional fee of USD 250 will be charged in addition to the existing costs for the applying for a US visa and applies to applicants for almost all non-immigrant visas (e.g. B-1, B-2, F, J, E, L visas).

Background and objectives

The US government uses the "Visa Integrity Fee" to finance enhanced security measures and to cope with rising application numbers. Officially, the fee is intended to ensure improved integrity and security in the US visa system. The focus is on new verification procedures and increasing the capacity of the immigration authorities.

Effects for applicants

This means a noticeable additional financial burden for applicants. The new fee is payable directly when the visa is issued and thus supplements the previous Consular and visa fees. For the first time, it is planned that a refund of the amount will be possible after the visa expires if all residence requirements are met. However, the exact modalities for this, including the time of introduction and repayment process, have not yet been finalized and are currently being further developed by the US government.

Critical voices criticize the lack of transparency regarding the actual use of funds and point out that there is still no clear process for paying out refunds. As things currently stand, a start date of October 1, 2025 (at the beginning of the new US tax year) is expected for the obligation to pay the fee. However, a specific date has not yet been set. Patience is still required for detailed questions regarding payment processing and possible refunds.

Our agency follows all developments closely and is available to you as a competent contact for all questions relating to the new fee regulations and the best possible process for your US visa applications available.

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) remains the preferred option for citizens of visa waiver countries for business and private travel to the USA. From September 30, 2025, the US government will increase the ESTA fee from 21 US dollars to 40 US dollars - a near doubling that both private travelers and companies should factor into their budget planning. Families and groups will be particularly affected in future, as the fee must be paid for each individual, including minors.

Compared to traditional visa procedures, the ESTA remains the fastest and cheapest way for short stays. The permit is still valid for two years and allows multiple entries within this period. In order to benefit from the existing conditions, it is advisable to submit ESTA applications before the deadline if possible.

There have also recently been relevant changes at country level:

ESTA applications for Hungarian nationals were previously subject to significant restrictions: Only people born in Hungary could apply, the permits were valid for a maximum of one year and only authorized a single entry. Now the regular regulation is to be reintroduced by September 30 at the latest - for all Hungarian nationals, with a two-year validity and the possibility of multiple entries. For companies with business travelers from Hungary, this means a significant increase in planning security

Particular attention must be paid to the latest regulation on visa applications by so-called Third Country Nationals (TCNs).

Previously, third country nationals, i.e. applicants without citizenship or permanent residence/center of life in the country of the respective US consulate, were able to apply for a visa there under certain conditions. This option was significantly expanded, particularly during the Covid pandemic, to compensate for long waiting times in individual countries.

With effect from September 6, 2025 this practice has now been abolished. In future, visa applications may only be submitted by nationals or persons with proven residence in the country of the US consulate.

In concrete terms, this means

• Example 1: An Indian citizen with an official work and residence permit in Germany can still apply at the US Consulate in Berlin, Frankfurt/Main or Munich - upon presentation of the residence permit and a registration certificate.
• Example 2: A Chinese national who is in Germany for a short business meeting but otherwise lives in China must submit the application in China.

For travelers, the new regulation means significantly less flexibility: visa applications are now only possible in the home country or at the official place of residence. This leads to additional costs, longer waiting times and less planning security. Many US consulates will only accept applications from third-country nationals, if at all, in strictly exceptional cases. If you are unsure whether an application is possible, it is advisable to contact the relevant US consulate directly in advance.

The so-called Reciprocity Schedule regulates how long US visas are issued to citizens of certain countries, how many entries they allow and what additional fees are charged when applying for a visa. This is based on the principle of reciprocity - the USA adjusts its conditions according to the entry regulations of other countries for US citizens.

In July 2025, the U.S. Department of State tightened the requirements for over fifty countries. Specifically, the validity period of many B-, F-, H-, J-, M- and O-Visa reduced to just three months and limited to a single entry. Previously, these Visa categories usually longer terms and multiple trips. Visa applications that were approved before the new rules came into force will retain their original validity.

Travelers from certain countries in Africa (e.g. Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia) as well as from parts of Southeast Asia (e.g. Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar) and occasionally also from China are particularly affected. Under the updated Reciprocity Schedule, they often only have short visa validity periods of a few months and are restricted to a single entry. This means that applications have to be resubmitted more frequently and additional consulate appointments have to be made - with corresponding costs and time expenditure. This leads to significantly less planning security, both for international projects and for private trips. Travelers from western industrial nations, on the other hand, are generally not affected by these restrictions and continue to benefit from longer validity periods and multiple entries. Early information about the current regulations and forward planning are therefore particularly important for applicants from the affected countries.

Already in June US President Trump issues a proclamationwhich came into force on June 9 and massively restricted entry for certain nationals.

A complete entry and visa ban (NIV and IV) applies to nationals from: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

Partial restrictions (no reissue of certain IV and NIV categories) apply to nationals from: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

Immigrant visas (IV) and B-1/B-2, F are particularly affected, M and J Visa. The regulation applies until further notice.

The current US visa regulations stipulate that all applicants must disclose their social media data from the last five years as part of the application process. This applies to both the platforms used and the respective usernames so that the authorities can clearly assign a person's online activities. In addition, a stricter requirement applies to applicants in categories F, M and J - i.e. students, exchange programs and similar groups - who must set their social media accounts to "public" during the processing period so that the US authorities have direct access to content. In this context, private settings are often seen as an attempt to conceal information and can lead to rejection.

The evaluation by the US authorities is not limited to security-related anomalies. Statements or activities that could be construed as hostile towards the USA, its politics, culture or institutions are also taken into account. Such content can lead to rejection during the application process, but can also have consequences even after a visa has been issued. This is because a system of continuous vetting has been in place since 2025: An estimated 55 million visas already issued worldwide are subject to continuous vetting. Subsequent violations of immigration or criminal law can also lead to a visa being revoked at any time.

As US visas can now also be checked regularly after they have been issued, it is advisable to ensure that you have proper documentation and comply with the regulations when traveling to the US, to clearly state the purpose of your stay and to ensure that your own communication is as consistent as possible.

The latest changes to US visas, ESTA, EVUS and Third Country National applications clearly show this:

Entering the USA today requires more preparation, transparency and structure. For companies, this means carefully coordinating travel plans, budgets and compliance guidelines. Individuals should plan for additional fees and longer lead times. However, with early planning, clear information and professional support, unnecessary hurdles and surprises can be avoided.

If you are unsure or have questions about the new regulations, as an experienced US visa agency we are always on hand to advise you. Our team will support you in analyzing your individual visa options, strategically planning your trips or employee assignments and correctly preparing all applications. This allows you to keep an eye on the overall costs and plan your trips to the USA efficiently and stress-free.

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