US delays surcharge for non-immigrant visas

 

There is a delayed start to the implementation of a US$250 surcharge on most non-immigrant visas. 

 

It was set for October 1, the start of the United States fiscal year. 

 

Once in effect, applicants from non-visa waiver countries, including Jamaica, will be required to pay the "integrity fee" so dubbed in the Donald Trump administration's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, in addition to the US$185 visa application fee - bringing the total to $435.

 

The fee will only be applied to successful visa applications. 

 

A spokesperson for the State Department told The Gleaner that there is no confirmed implementation timeline. 

 

But immigration attorney Oliver Langstadt says the start date could come at any time.

 

Speaking Friday on TVJ's Smile Jamaica, Mr. Langstadt said a possible reason for the delayed implementation of the visa surcharge is the lack of necessary infrastructure.

 

"Well, my understanding is - but, of course, everything changes literally by the minute here in the US with what goes on in the immigration world - my understanding is the consular posts and the embassies are not yet collecting it because I don't think they have the protocols in place and the logistics to do it. But it could also mean that literally next week, all of a sudden they will. The legislation calls for it to be collected during the federal fiscal year [which] runs from October 1 to September 30. So justifiably everybody was concerned and thought, okay, well, October 1, they're going to start to collect," he surmised.

 

The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for implementing and collecting the surcharge, which the government indicates will support immigration enforcement, deter visa overstays and fund border security. 

 

The surcharge is refundable if the visa holder complies with all visa terms and departs the US on time. 

 

But there are no details on how the money will be repaid.