U.S visa requirements for your next business trip
Business travellers with plans to visit the United States must ensure they have the correct requirements to enter. Some travellers need a visa, while others can apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for short visits, and a new Visa Integrity Fee will apply to other travellers. It’s important to know which rules will apply before anyone travels to avoid disruptions at the border.
What is the U.S. ESTA
It’s the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Eligible travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain an ESTA to visit the U.S. for business or tourism for up to 90 days within a 12-month period. This applies to travellers from countries including Australia, most of the European Union, Ireland, Singapore and the United Kingdom.
What is the U.S. Visa Integrity Fee?
Travellers from countries not in the Visa Waiver Program need to apply for a non-immigrant visa. Anyone who requires one of these visas, including business and leisure travellers, will be required to pay a fee of at least US$250 on top of their existing visa application fees. It may be refundable if travellers comply with all visa requirements, however, at the time of publishing this post, there is no procedure in place for facilitating those refunds.
What new U.S. travel costs may apply to you?
ESTA | Visa + Visa Integrity Fee |
| Required for travellers from Visa Waiver Programme countries for visits of less than 90 days | Required for nearly all non-immigrant visa applicants |
| Fee: Currently $21, however may increase to at least $40 in the coming months | Fee: Visa costs vary, and Integrity Fee of at least $250 (may be refundable) |
| Payable: At time of application | Payable: At time of visa issuance |
Uncertainty for business travel budgets
Changing visa fees present a moving target, which creates uncertainty for businesses with frequent U.S. travel. They come as a result of recent domestic policy enacted by the U.S. government, with provisions that may change fees over time at the government’s discretion, or to adjust for inflation. Despite the uncertainty, corporate travel managers should take steps to account for these fee changes in their budgets.
FCM does not process visas, but we work hard to keep our corporate travel clients updated on important updates impacting their international travel. For full details on U.S. visa categories, fees, and requirements, visit the U.S. Department of State’s visa page or use the Visa Wizard to find out which visa applies to your next trip.