Canada, Alongside Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, And Jamaica Faces New Charge Under Us Visa Program: Details You Need To Know

Published on September 8, 2025

By: Rana Pratap

Canada, together pinch Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Jamaica, will statesman facing further fees connected pinch nan US Visa Program starting successful 2025. This originates from caller changes successful nan visa exertion process for non-Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. These caller changes stem from nan accrued responsive efforts of nan U.S. authorities to tighten its visa policies, fortify separator and migration power compliance, and respond to nan accrued administrative load owed to further visa petition submissions from these countries. These caller charges will beryllium applied successful a gradual manner, pinch immoderate countries paying nan basal administrative fees, while others will beryllium chargeable for further services and nan equilibrium will beryllium exempted. In nan lawsuit of Canada, wherever immoderate Canadian travellers to US request to salary afloat while immoderate travellers are exempted, wherever arsenic roadworthy travel charges are different. In nan aforesaid manner, for Chile, nether nan Visa Waiver Program (VWP) nan state is exempted while Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Jamaica will salary nan charges successful full. We’ve done our champion to item these differences, and to show nan various outcomes successful each state constituent by point. This is becoming a ‘fashionable’ consequence to expanding migration pressures and wanting to take sides claimed territory against perceived risks by an fierce visa policy.

Canada: Visa-Exempt for Citizens, But New Fees for Border Crossings and Permanent Residents

For Canadian citizens, nan process of walking to nan United States is nan simplest among nan countries listed, acknowledgment to nan visa-exempt status for visits of up to six months. This intends Canadian citizens do not request a visa for tourism aliases business recreation to nan U.S., which is simply a awesome advantage for galore travelers.

However, while Canadian citizens are exempt from nan Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, location are still immoderate costs progressive erstwhile entering nan U.S. from Canada, particularly astatine onshore borders. Starting September 30, 2025, nan interest for obtaining a Form I-94 (which is required erstwhile entering nan U.S. by land) will summation from USD Six to USD Thirty. This interest applies to each individuals entering nan U.S. by onshore ports of entry, moreover if they are Canadian citizens.

Impact connected Canadian Permanent Residents

A captious favoritism exists betwixt Canadian citizenship and Canadian imperishable residency (also known arsenic landed migrant status). While Canadian citizens are exempt from U.S. visa requirements, permanent residents of Canada (i.e., non-citizens who unrecorded successful Canada but are not citizens) are not. As such, permanent residents must travel nan modular nonimmigrant visa exertion process for U.S. entry, including paying nan MRV fee of USD One Hundred Eighty Five for nan B-2 tourer visa. Furthermore, imperishable residents will beryllium taxable to nan caller Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty that will beryllium introduced successful October 2025. This intends that Canadian imperishable residents will look nan aforesaid visa costs arsenic travelers from non-Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries for illustration Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, and Jamaica, importantly expanding nan wide costs of walking to nan U.S.

Complexity for Families and Mixed Status Travelers

An often-overlooked rumor for Canadian families walking to nan U.S. is nan imaginable discrepancy successful visa requirements for family members. If a family consists of some Canadian citizens and Canadian imperishable residents, nan fees and requirements will differ, perchance causing disorder and disruption successful recreation planning. The Canadian citizen family members will not require a visa and will not salary nan MRV fee, while nan permanent resident family members will request to use for nan B-2 visa, salary nan MRV fee, and hole for nan further Visa Integrity Fee. This complexity highlights nan request for observant readying and knowing of visa rules, particularly for mixed-status families.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Eligibility

It is besides worthy noting that Canadian citizens are eligible to participate nan U.S. without a visa nether nan Visa Waiver Program (VWP) for tourism aliases business stays of up to 90 days. However, travelers must still obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) anterior to departure. Currently, ESTA applications for Canadians are free, and nan support process is simple. However, immoderate Canadian national who intends to enactment longer than 90 days aliases is walking for a intent different than tourism aliases business will request to use for a B-2 tourer visa and salary nan associated MRV interest and Visa Integrity Fee.

Certainly! Here’s a broad conception connected Canada pinch each nan applicable specifications and a clear breakdown of wherever visa fees use and wherever they don’t:

Canada: Entry to nan U.S. Without a Visa, but New Fees astatine nan Border and for Permanent Residents

For Canadian citizens, walking to nan United States remains 1 of nan astir straightforward processes compared to different nations. Here’s a elaborate breakdown of nan cardinal elements:

Visa Exemption for Canadian Citizens

• No Visa Requirement: Canadian citizens are mostly exempt from requiring a U.S. tourer visa for stays of up to six months. This is portion of nan long-standing statement betwixt Canada and nan U.S. nether which Canadians tin freely transverse nan separator for tourism, business, and definite different non-immigrant purposes without needing to use for a B-2 tourer visa.
• Fee astatine Land Border: While Canadian citizens are exempt from paying nan Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee (which is USD One Hundred Eighty Five for astir countries), they will still beryllium required to salary for nan Form I-94 erstwhile entering nan U.S. by land, which is nan charismatic Arrival/Departure Record.
• Current Fee: USD Six
• Effective from September 30, 2025: The interest for nan I-94 will summation to USD Thirty.

Visa Requirement for Canadian Permanent Residents

• Who Needs a Visa: While Canadian citizens do not request a visa, Canadian imperishable residents (also known arsenic landed immigrants) do require a visa to participate nan U.S. for tourer travel. This is because nan visa exemption only applies to Canadian citizens.
• Visa Fee: Canadian imperishable residents will request to use for a B-2 tourer visa to participate nan U.S. This involves paying nan MRV fee of USD One Hundred Eighty Five (the aforesaid arsenic different countries extracurricular nan U.S. Visa Waiver Program). In summation to nan MRV fee, they will besides request to salary nan USD Two Hundred Fifty Visa Integrity Fee, which is scheduled to return effect October 2025.

Increased Fees from October 2025

• For Canadian Citizens: While they will still beryllium exempt from nan MRV interest and nan Visa Integrity Fee, they will look an summation successful nan Form I-94 fee from USD Six to USD Thirty astatine U.S. onshore ports of introduction starting September 30, 2025.
• For Canadian Permanent Residents: The full costs for a B-2 visa application will summation starting successful October 2025:
• MRV Fee: USD One Hundred Eighty Five
• Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty
• Total: USD Four Hundred Thirty Five (Non-refundable, paid upfront)

Summary Breakdown

• Canadian Citizens:
• Do not request a visa for tourer recreation (up to 6 months).
• Pay only for nan Form I-94 interest astatine nan U.S. onshore border.
• Effective from Sept 30, 2025: I-94 interest rises to USD Thirty.
• Canadian Permanent Residents:
• Do request a visa (B-2 tourer visa).
• Pay nan USD One Hundred Eighty Five MRV fee + USD Two Hundred Fifty Visa Integrity Fee (totaling USD Four Hundred Thirty Five from October 2025).

Mexico: Specialized Border Crossing and New Integrity Fees Starting successful 2025

For Mexican citizens, nan process for entering nan United States tin return 1 of 2 paths: applying for a B-1/B-2 visitant visa aliases utilizing nan Border Crossing Card (BCC), a specialized paper that allows for easier and much predominant cross-border recreation betwixt nan U.S. and Mexico.

B-1/B-2 Visa and Border Crossing Card (BCC)

Mexican citizens person nan action to use for nan modular B-1/B-2 tourer visa, pinch a required MRV fee of USD One Hundred Eighty Five, nan aforesaid arsenic nan world modular for non-immigrant visas. However, for those who unrecorded adjacent nan U.S.-Mexico border, nan BCC is often a much convenient and cost-effective option. The BCC is simply a biometric paper that besides functions arsenic a B-1/B-2 visa but is cheaper and tin beryllium utilized much often for recreation to nan U.S.

• For adults (age 15 and over), nan BCC interest is USD One Hundred Eighty Five, nan aforesaid arsenic nan B-1/B-2 visa fee.
• For minors (under 15), nan BCC fee is drastically reduced to $15, but this is contingent connected nan genitor aliases guardian holding a valid BCC. The reduced interest encourages family applications and helps streamline nan introduction process for families surviving adjacent nan border.

Visa Integrity Fee and Future Costs

While BCC holders bask a little introduction interest compared to modular visa applicants, all travelers from Mexico (whether they use for a B-1/B-2 visa aliases a BCC) will beryllium taxable to nan caller Visa Integrity Fee starting successful October 2025. This USD Two Hundred Fifty fee will use to each non-VWP (Visa Waiver Program) countries, which includes Mexico. This interest will importantly summation nan full costs for travelers who use for a visa aliases BCC.

Thus, aft October 2025, nan full costs for an big applying for a B-1/B-2 visa aliases a BCC will beryllium USD Four Hundred Thirty Five (the MRV interest of USD One Hundred Eighty Five + nan Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty). Minors who are eligible for nan reduced BCC fee will still look nan USD Two Hundred Fifty Visa Integrity Fee, bringing their full costs to USD Two Hundred Sixty Five.

Key Fee Changes for Mexico successful 2025

• MRV fee: USD One Hundred Eighty Five for B-1/B-2 visa and BCC applications for adults (same for both).
• BCC interest for minors: USD Fifteen, but only if nan genitor aliases ineligible guardian is applying for a BCC astatine nan aforesaid time.
• Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty, applicable to each non-VWP travelers, starting successful October 2025.

Chile: The Only South American Country successful nan U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

Chile enjoys a unsocial position among South American countries arsenic nan only 1 whose citizens are eligible to participate successful nan U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This programme allows Chilean citizens to participate nan U.S. for tourism aliases business without needing to use for a accepted visa, making it nan astir streamlined and cost-effective action for travelers from Chile.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and ESTA

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows eligible travelers to sojourn nan United States for stays of up to 90 days without nan request to get a B-2 tourer visa. However, travelers must get a pre-approved recreation authorization done nan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) earlier boarding their formation to nan U.S.

• Current ESTA fee: USD Twenty One per person.
• New ESTA interest (effective September 30, 2025): The interest will summation to USD Forty per person. This summation reflects nan summation of caller operational and promotion fees to money nan ESTA system.

The ESTA process is speedy and easy, and travelers typically person support wrong a fewer minutes. However, it is important to retrieve that an ESTA approval does not guarantee introduction into nan U.S.; it simply allows travelers to committee nan plane. Upon arrival, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers will determine whether to assistance entry.

Ineligibility for nan VWP: What Happens If a Chilean Citizen is Not Eligible?

While nan VWP provides a important advantage, not each Chilean citizens are eligible for this program. There are respective reasons why an individual mightiness beryllium deemed ineligible, including:

• Prior visa denials.
• Travel history to definite countries deemed high-risk by U.S. authorities.
• Criminal record aliases different security-related concerns.

In specified cases, Chilean travelers will request to use for a B-2 tourer visa via nan accepted consular process. This includes paying nan USD One Hundred Eighty Five MRV fee, arsenic good arsenic nan caller USD Two Hundred Fifty Visa Integrity Fee, bringing nan full visa costs to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five.

Comparative Advantage: Chile vs. Other Countries successful South America

Chile’s VWP position places it successful stark opposition to its location neighbors, for illustration Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, who must use for a B-2 visa to sojourn nan U.S. for tourism. The fees for Chilean travelers stay importantly little owed to nan expertise to utilize nan ESTA process:

• Chilean family of 4 (via ESTA successful precocious 2025): Total costs would beryllium USD One Hundred Sixty ($40 x 4).

This quality successful costs and processes makes U.S. recreation acold much accessible for Chilean citizens compared to their neighbors successful South America. It is simply a clear illustration of really world relations and information considerations effect nan easiness and costs of recreation to nan U.S.

Key Fee Changes for Chile successful 2025

• ESTA fee: Current $21, accrued to USD Forty from September 30, 2025.
• B-2 visa (if ineligible for VWP): USD One Hundred Eighty Five MRV interest + USD Two Hundred Fifty Visa Integrity Fee = USD Four Hundred Thirty Five.

Chilean Advantage successful 2025

Chilean travelers tin proceed to use from nan Visa Waiver Program, which provides a cost-effective and businesslike measurement to recreation to nan U.S. nether nan ESTA system. With nan ESTA fee expanding to USD Forty starting successful September 2025, nan process will still beryllium importantly cheaper than applying for a B-2 visa, particularly compared to Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico, wherever travelers will beryllium required to salary higher fees.

Argentina: Standard Visa Process pinch Increased Costs Starting successful 2025

Argentina citizens are required to travel nan accepted B-2 tourer visa process to sojourn nan U.S. for tourism purposes. Unlike Chile, which benefits from nan Visa Waiver Program (VWP), Argentina does not person entree to this streamlined process. As a result, travelers from Argentina must acquisition nan afloat visa exertion procedure, including costs of nan MRV fee and nan imaginable summation of different fees successful 2025.

B-2 Tourist Visa and Associated Fees

For Argentine citizens wishing to recreation to nan United States, nan B-2 tourer visa is nan modular introduction method. The MRV fee required for this visa is USD One Hundred Eighty Five, which is accordant pinch nan world modular for non-immigrant visas. This interest is non-refundable and must beryllium paid to statesman nan visa exertion process.

In summation to nan MRV fee, Argentine travelers will besides look nan preamble of nan Visa Integrity Fee starting successful October 2025. This USD Two Hundred Fifty fee will beryllium levied connected each non-Visa Waiver Program (VWP) applicants, including Argentine citizens. This interest applies sloppy of nan visa type (in this case, nan B-2 visa).

Reciprocity Fee: No Additional Charges for Argentine Travelers

Currently, location is nary reciprocity fee for Argentine applicants seeking a B-2 tourer visa. In nan past, nan U.S. Department of State and Argentina had reciprocal visa fees. However, successful March 2016, Argentina eliminated nan visa issuance interest for U.S. citizens, which led nan U.S. to region nan reciprocity interest for Argentine citizens. This remains nan case, and Argentine travelers will not person to salary immoderate further visa issuance interest astatine nan clip of visa approval.

Potential Costs successful 2025

Starting successful October 2025, travelers from Argentina will look a important summation successful their visa exertion costs. The Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty will beryllium added to nan USD One Hundred Eighty Five MRV fee, resulting successful a full upfront costs of USD Four Hundred Thirty Five for a B-2 tourer visa.

Key Fee Changes for Argentina successful 2025

• MRV fee: USD One Hundred Eighty Five for B-2 visa applications.
• Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty starting October 2025.
• No Reciprocity Fee: Argentina presently does not enforce an further interest for U.S. tourists, truthful U.S. citizens do not look a visa issuance fee.

Higher Costs for Argentine Travelers successful 2025

For Argentine citizens, nan B-2 tourer visa process remains standard, pinch an MRV interest of USD One Hundred Eighty Five and nan further Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty successful effect by October 2025, raising nan full upfront visa costs to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five.

Brazil: Standard Visa Process pinch Potential Reciprocity Fee

For Brazilian citizens wishing to recreation to nan United States for tourism, nan process remains akin to different non-Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries. Brazil does not use from nan Visa Waiver Program (VWP), meaning Brazilian citizens must use for nan B-2 tourer visa done nan accepted visa exertion process.

B-2 Tourist Visa and Associated Fees

Brazilian citizens are required to salary nan Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) interest of USD One Hundred Eighty Five for nan B-2 tourer visa. This is nan modular exertion interest for non-petition-based nonimmigrant visas, and it is non-refundable, sloppy of nan visa support outcome.

In summation to nan MRV fee, Brazilian citizens will beryllium required to salary nan Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty, which will travel into effect successful October 2025. This Visa Integrity Fee is simply a mandatory complaint for each non-VWP countries, which includes Brazil, and will summation nan full upfront visa costs for travelers from Brazil to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five.

Reciprocity Fee: Likely to beryllium Imposed After 2025

Currently, Brazil does not complaint a reciprocity fee for U.S. tourer visa applicants. However, Brazil has announced that starting April 10, 2025, it will reinstate a visa request for U.S. citizens, which is apt to punctual nan U.S. authorities to enforce a reciprocity fee for Brazilian citizens. This could importantly summation nan costs of obtaining a visa for Brazilian travelers.

Once nan reciprocity fee is introduced, Brazilian travelers could look an further costs beyond nan MRV and Visa Integrity Fee, though nan nonstop magnitude is yet to beryllium determined. This uncertainty regarding nan reciprocity interest makes it important for Brazilian travelers to show charismatic announcements from nan U.S. Embassy successful Brazil to understand nan last costs.

Key Fee Changes for Brazil successful 2025

• MRV fee: USD One Hundred Eighty Five for B-2 visa applications.
• Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty starting October 2025, expanding nan full costs to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five.
• Potential Reciprocity Fee: Likely to beryllium introduced aft Brazil’s visa request for U.S. citizens takes effect successful April 2025.

Uncertainty and Increased Costs for Brazilian Travelers successful 2025

Travelers from Brazil will look accrued visa exertion costs owed to nan Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty, bringing nan full costs for a B-2 tourer visa to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five by October 2025. The preamble of a reciprocity fee could raise nan costs moreover further, depending connected nan U.S.’s consequence to Brazil’s caller visa policies for U.S. citizens.

As a result, Brazilian travelers should beryllium prepared for perchance higher upfront costs and cautiously show updates from nan U.S. Embassy successful Brazil regarding immoderate further fees.

Jamaica: Standard Visa Process and Increased Costs successful 2025

Jamaican citizens wishing to sojourn nan United States for tourism will request to spell done nan accepted B-2 tourer visa process. As pinch astir non-Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, Jamaica does not person entree to nan VWP, meaning that citizens must use for a visa to recreation to nan U.S.

B-2 Tourist Visa and Associated Fees

For Jamaican citizens, nan B-2 tourer visa exertion is required for U.S. tourer travel. The MRV fee, which is basal for processing this application, is USD One Hundred Eighty Five, and it is nan modular interest for astir non-immigrant visa applicants worldwide.

In summation to nan MRV fee, Jamaican applicants will besides beryllium taxable to nan caller Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty, effective October 2025. This will summation nan full upfront costs for a B-2 tourer visa exertion from USD One Hundred Eighty Five to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five.

Reciprocity Fee: No Additional Charges for Jamaican Citizens

Currently, Jamaica does not enforce a reciprocity fee for U.S. tourer visa applicants. Reciprocity fees are typically charged by nan U.S. erstwhile nan applicant’s location state imposes a interest connected U.S. citizens. However, Jamaica has nary specified interest successful spot for U.S. tourists, truthful Jamaican citizens are not required to salary immoderate other charges beyond nan modular MRV fee and nan Visa Integrity Fee.

Key Fee Changes for Jamaica successful 2025

• MRV fee: USD One Hundred Eighty Five for B-2 visa applications.
• Visa Integrity Fee: USD Two Hundred Fifty starting October 2025, raising nan full visa costs to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five.
• No Reciprocity Fee: Jamaican citizens do not presently look an further interest for U.S. visa issuance.

Jamaican Travelers Will See Increased Costs successful 2025

For Jamaican citizens, nan costs of applying for a B-2 tourer visa will emergence importantly successful 2025. The Visa Integrity Fee of USD Two Hundred Fifty will bring nan full visa costs to USD Four Hundred Thirty Five for astir applicants. While location is nary reciprocity fee astatine this time.

Starting successful 2025, Canada, alongside Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Jamaica, will look caller charges nether nan U.S. Visa Program arsenic portion of efforts to heighten visa information and reside nan increasing administrative load of processing visa applications. While immoderate countries, for illustration Canada, person exemptions for definite travelers, others, including Mexico and Argentina, will look afloat fees, pinch each country’s circumstantial requirements varying based connected their status.

In conclusion, nan caller fees introduced nether nan U.S. Visa Program starting successful 2025 will importantly effect travelers from Canada, Chile, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Jamaica. While some, for illustration Chile, use from nan Visa Waiver Program, astir will spot accrued costs owed to nan USD Two Hundred Fifty Visa Integrity Fee and different changes. For Canada, this intends imperishable residents will look akin fees to those successful non-VWP countries. The U.S. government’s extremity of enhancing visa information and managing nan increasing administrative load connected nan visa process explains these changes, but travelers will request to cautiously scheme and fund for nan accrued financial and logistical requirements to participate nan United States. As these policies unfold, it will beryllium important for citizens of these countries to enactment informed astir nan latest interest structures and immoderate further requirements.