Headings:
‘One Big Lovely Expense Act’ Introduces New $ 250 ‘Visa Honesty Charge’; USCIS Releases Listing of Costs — The brand-new cost will be charged to people obtaining a nonimmigrant visa at the time of visa issuance. Also, U.S. Citizenship and Migration Services announced its new costs.
DOS Announces Investigation of Harvard’s Involvement in Exchange Site Visitor Program — The Division of State is investigating Harvard College’s “continued qualification as an enroller” for the Exchange Visitor Program.
DOS Updates Visa Reciprocity Schedules, Lowers Credibility Period for Nonimmigrant Visas — The Department of State has updated the visa reciprocity routines for more than 50 nations , substantially lowering the credibility duration for nonimmigrant visas.
OFLC Announces Modifications in Email Addresses for National Handling Centers — The brand-new e-mail addresses will certainly be turned out online and in letter and email themes over the coming months.
Information
‘One Large Gorgeous Expense Act’ Introduces New $ 250 ‘Visa Stability Charge’; USCIS Releases List of Fees
The lately passed “One Large Beautiful Costs Act” (H.R. 1 presents a new $ 250 “Visa Stability Cost” for nonimmigrants , among other costs. The Visa Honesty Charge is intended to improve funding for the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to support enhanced immigration enforcement activities. The brand-new cost will be credited individuals obtaining a nonimmigrant visa at the time of visa issuance. The legislation consists of arrangements that enable the DHS Assistant to increase the cost as required and increase the cost based upon inflation. There is not a collection date on which the fee will be established.
Those required to pay the fee will certainly consist of:
- Employment-based workers and their dependents: H- 1 B, H- 4, L- 1, L- 2, TN, TD, O- 1, O- 3, P
- Pupils and their dependents: F- 1, F- 2
- Exchange visitors and their dependents: J- 1, J- 2
- Site visitors: B- 1, B- 2
Going Into the USA under the Visa Waiver Program would certainly not go through the visa honesty cost. There are no exceptions to the fee, which can not be reduced. Nevertheless, the legislation permits compensation in certain situations after the duration of admission has actually run out.
Additionally, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a notice on July 22, 2025, revealing the agency’s new charges, to whom those costs use, when the brand-new charges work, directions on their repayment, when and if the costs may be waived, and effects of the failing to pay.
DOS Announces Examination of Harvard’s Participation in Exchange Visitor Program
On July 23, 2025, the Division of State (DOS) announced an investigation into Harvard College’s “proceeded qualification as an enroller” for the J- 1 Exchange Visitor Program.
The news referenced national security problems normally yet provided no specifics on why Harvard was being investigated. According to records , Secretary of State Marco Rubio provided Harvard one week to offer several university records associated with the visa program. Mr. Rubio additionally claimed DOS will certainly talk to university staff and visa owners. Harvard claimed the examination was “an additional vindictive action” in infraction of the university’s First Modification rights. Harvard claimed it would “protect its international area and support them as they make an application for united state visas and travel to campus this loss.”
DOS Updates Visa Reciprocity Schedules, Reduces Legitimacy Period for Nonimmigrant Visas
The Division of State (DOS) has updated the visa reciprocity schedules for greater than 50 nations , dramatically lowering the validity duration for nonimmigrant visas. Foreign nationals from affected nations will certainly now be provided visas just for a period of 3 months and for a solitary entry. The affected visa groups include B (tourist), F (trainee), H (specialized profession short-lived employee), J (exchange visitor), M (student), and O (remarkable capacity). Previously, nonimmigrant visa validity periods may have been 12 months or longer and for multiple access.
Foreign nationals with several citizenships go through the corresponding reciprocity schedule of the nation that released the passport utilized for the visa application. Visas released before the adjustment in reciprocity should not be impacted and need to maintain their initial credibility.
OFLC Announces Changes in Email Addresses for National Handling Centers
The Division of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Qualification is changing the mailing address for all its programs to: Office of Foreign Labor Qualification, 200 Constitution Opportunity, NW, Room N- 5311, Washington, DC 20210 As a follow-up to this process, on July 25, 2025, OFLC announced a modification to the naming conventions for all e-mail addresses presently utilized for aid desks.
The new e-mail addresses will certainly be rolled out online and in letter and email layouts over the coming months, OFLC claimed. To make sure minimal disturbance, the old addresses will certainly remain valid and useful throughout this change. OFLC encourages individuals to reference the OFLC main web page and the Foreign Labor Application Entrance processing website to keep track of the modifications.