For decades, travelling to the United States was the middle-class Indian dream. You saved for it, shopped for it, Instagrammed the Times Square moment like a badge of honour. But as of this month, that dream just got more expensive - again. Thanks to a revised visa fee structure, Indian tourists will now shell out over USD 250 (Rs 21,457) additional just to apply for a US visitor visa.
US President Donald Trump has introduced a new 'Visa Integrity Fee' of USD 250 for most non-immigrant visa categories, under his 'Big Beautiful Bill', signed on July 4, 2025. The charges are applicable from the beginning of fiscal 2025 and will see an annual hike from 2026 onwards taking inflation into account, as per reports.
For some, this is a small price for the big America experience. But for a growing number of Indian travellers, the question is: is it still worth it?
Rs 20,000 Additional - Before You Even Pack
The updated fee structure includes:
- Rs 15,878 (USD 185) current cost of a B-1/B-2 visa
- Rs 21,457 (USD 250) as the new 'Visa Integrity Fee'
Along with other minor fees like the I-94 fee (USD 24) and ESTA fee (USD 13), the total cost will rise to about USD 445, or Rs 38,173, rounding off to Rs 40,000.
This is before you book your flights, hotels, or even get that one painfully long appointment slot in Delhi, Mumbai or Chennai. Add in forex rates, travel insurance, documentation expenses, and that cost starts snowballing before you even reach JFK.
The Emotional Cost Of Visiting The US
Visiting America has always come with a mix of pride, pressure and paperwork. But in 2025, even the biggest US fans are admitting that the entire process feels more draining than ever - long waits, intimidating embassy interviews, additional visa fees, and high cancellation risks if your visa gets delayed.
"For the same amount I would spend on a one-week New York trip, I can do two Japan trips - with zero stress," says Varun Prakash, a Bengaluru-based digital consultant who recently switched holiday plans after a visa appointment got pushed by four months.
Where Are Indians Travelling Instead?
Indian passport holders are not ditching international travel - they are simply recalculating. Top alternative destinations gaining popularity include:
Japan: Visa process has improved, yen is weak, anime and cherry blossoms sell themselves.
Vietnam: Flight connections from India have increased. Cost of living is low. Visa is easy.
Switzerland: Visa application is straightforward. Usually, processing time for visa applications is 15 calendar days.
Thailand: Always reliable. Some Indians are now returning for their second or third trip.
"Rs 80,000 For Visa Fees Alone - That's a Hard Sell"
Travel planners across Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru say that while the US continues to attract Indian travellers, rising visa costs and complicated scheduling are nudging people towards "cheaper, easier, more Instagrammable" destinations.
"I had a family of four cancel their US trip after realising their visa fees alone would cost almost Rs 80,000," says a Delhi-based luxury travel consultant. "They ended up booking two weeks in Japan instead - it felt simpler and fresher."
Is The US Still Worth It?
Of course, for many Indian travellers - especially those with family, work ties, or personal nostalgia - the US remains the ultimate trip. The West Coast road trip, New York's Broadway buzz, or a Yankees game in the Bronx is hard to replicate elsewhere.
"I would still go to the US in a heartbeat," says Shreya Chopra, a Delhi-based 'Swiftie' who bagged a ticket to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour in Los Angeles this August. "It is a one-time splurge. But I know friends who chose Singapore over the hassle."
And the truth is, some things in America still hit different - a drive through Yosemite, soul food in Atlanta, or Black Friday shopping in Chicago suburbs. But with global travel evolving, and younger Indian travellers making sharper value-driven choices, America's once unshakable hold may be shifting.
What Rs 40,000 Can Get You Elsewhere
A cheeky reality check:
Rs 40,000 Can Get You:
- A return flight to Bangkok, Thailand
- A 3-night hostel-hotel combo in Tokyo, Japan
- A 1-week public transport pass + SIM in Seoul, South Korea
- Return domestic flight from Istanbul to Cappadocia, Turkey
- A local Airbnb + 2-day guided city pass in Athens, Greece
The Verdict?
America is still iconic. But in 2025, it is no longer the default. For Indian travellers, especially younger ones, the charm has to compete with price, paperwork and sheer mental bandwidth. And right now, for a lot of us, the maths is not mathing.
