Kenyans, Travellers To Pay Extra Ksh32,000 Under New Trump U.S. Visa Fee Rule
Kenyans planning trips to the United States will soon have to part with a staggering Ksh32,500 more. The new charge, known as the Visa Integrity Fee, is part of the Trump administration’s latest immigration clampdown under the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the bill introduces the fee as a mandatory charge on top of all existing visa application costs.
Starting October 1, 2025, all non-immigrant visa applicants—including tourists, students, and business travellers—will be required to pay this additional $250 fee.
“This Visa Integrity Fee is not just another charge; it’s a new wall for ordinary travellers,” lamented a Nairobi-based travel consultant.
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New Fees Push Visa Costs Through The Roof
Currently, Kenyan applicants pay about Ksh24,000 for a tourist or business visa. With the new fee, that total will spike to Ksh56,500 or more. And that’s before factoring in the Form I-94 processing fee, which just increased from $6 to $24 (about Ksh3,120).
“It’s getting unaffordable for many of us. These new charges are cruel,” said a university student hoping to study abroad.
While countries like the UK, Japan, Germany, and France are exempt, Kenya is among those hit hardest. Most African, Asian, and South American nations fall outside the Visa Waiver Program, meaning they must all pay this new levy.
Refund Is Possible—But Rare
The U.S. claims the fee serves as a “compliance bond”. Travellers who follow all immigration rules could qualify for a refund once their visa expires.
However, immigration experts warn this refund will be hard to secure.
“Even one-day overstays or minor infractions will disqualify you. A refund is extremely unlikely,” said an immigration lawyer based in Washington D.C.
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Kenyans Question Fairness Of New Visa Law
Many Kenyans are angry and confused. They question why the U.S. would impose such a heavy burden on travellers from developing countries.
“It’s discriminatory. We are being punished for no fault of our own,” said a Nairobi resident who recently applied for a tourist visa.
With inflation rising globally, U.S. authorities also hint that the $250 fee is only a base rate, meaning future increases are highly likely.
As October Approaches, Tensions Rise
The countdown to October 1 has begun. Kenyan travellers are now left with tough decisions—travel at higher costs or cancel their U.S. plans altogether.
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Kenyans, Travellers To Pay Extra Ksh32,000 Under New Trump U.S. Visa Fee Rule
