Uae Unites With Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman And Jordan To Face New Charge Under Us Visa Program, Everything You Need To Know

Published on September 21, 2025

UAE now faces important caller charges nether nan U.S. visa program, including a hefty $100,000 interest for caller H-1B visa applicants and an further $250 Visa Integrity Fee for various nonimmigrant visa categories. This improvement is portion of a broader group of changes impacting travelers from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Jordan, and different Middle Eastern countries, each of whom must now set to nan revised U.S. visa regulations. These caller charges bespeak nan U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to prioritize U.S. workers, heighten nan integrity of nan visa process, and streamline procedures for nan increasing number of visa applicants globally.

The preamble of nan $100,000 interest for H-1B applicants—a measurement aimed astatine limiting nan influx of overseas workers successful specialized occupations—has raised concerns astir nan affordability of activity visas. Along pinch nan Visa Integrity Fee, designed to bolster compliance monitoring, these changes awesome a important displacement successful U.S. migration policy. For Middle Eastern citizens, including those from nan UAE, Saudi Arabia, and others, these modifications will change nan measurement they navigate nan visa process, from exertion to approval.

In this article, we delve into nan specifics of really these updated requirements and fees will impact visa applicants from nan UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Jordan, and surrounding nations. We’ll supply basal accusation connected really these adjustments could effect early visa applications, highlighting nan financial and procedural shifts and what travelers request to cognize to enactment compliant pinch nan latest U.S. visa rules.

Qatar’s Visa Waiver Advantage: Travel to nan US pinch Ease, But Know nan Rules

Qatari citizens are eligible for nan U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), allowing them to recreation to nan United States for tourism aliases business purposes for a play of up to 90 days. To beryllium eligible, travelers must person a biometrically enabled passport and get an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) earlier departure. Additionally, travelers must person a return aliases onward summons departing nan U.S. wrong nan 90-day period. It’s important to statement that individuals who person visited aliases are nationals of countries specified arsenic Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, aliases Yemen connected aliases aft March 1, 2011 whitethorn not beryllium eligible for nan VWP and should use for a visa instead. The VWP does not let for employment, study, aliases extensions of enactment beyond nan first 90 days.

For nan ESTA application, travelers must sojourn nan charismatic CBP ESTA website and salary an exertion interest of $21, which is processed online. Most applications are approved wrong minutes, though it is recommended to use astatine slightest 72 hours earlier travel. An approved ESTA is valid for two years aliases until nan passport expires, whichever comes first.

UAE Citizens: New US Visa Fees and Requirements for 2025

For UAE citizens applying for a U.S. visa arsenic of September 21, 2025, nan process involves respective cardinal steps, each pinch circumstantial fees. The B-1/B-2 (visitor), F (student), and J (exchange visitor) visa categories each transportation a $185 exertion fee. The H-1B visa for specialty business workers has a interest of $205, while nan E visa for pact traders and investors besides costs $205. These fees must beryllium paid astatine nan clip of exertion and are non-refundable.

In summation to nan modular visa fees, a $250 Visa Integrity Fee will beryllium implemented starting October 1, 2025. This interest applies to each nonimmigrant visa categories and is successful summation to nan MRV fee. It is refundable nether circumstantial conditions, specified arsenic compliance pinch visa position and timely departure from nan U.S. Moreover, immoderate applicants whitethorn beryllium taxable to visa issuance fees based connected nan U.S. visa reciprocity schedule pinch nan UAE. However, these fees are $0 for astir visa categories, specified arsenic B-1/B-2, F, J, and H-1B, arsenic agelong arsenic nan visa is approved.

For H-1B applicants, location will beryllium a caller $100,000 yearly fee for caller applicants, which will use starting from September 21, 2025. Employers are responsible for paying this interest erstwhile filing for a caller H-1B worker. Visa fees tin beryllium paid done nan U.S. Visa Information and Appointment Services website, and applicants must schedule an question and reply assignment aft payment.

Saudi Arabia’s Updated US Visa Process: Key Fee Changes

Saudi Arabian citizens applying for a U.S. visa should beryllium alert of nan updated fees and requirements. For astir nonimmigrant visas, including B-1/B-2 (tourist/business) and F, M (student/exchange), nan visa exertion interest is $185 USD. For H-1B (specialty occupation) and different petition-based visas (L, O, P, Q), nan interest is $205 USD. Additionally, Saudi citizens whitethorn beryllium taxable to issuance fees based connected nan U.S. Department of State’s reciprocity schedule.

A notable update is nan preamble of a $100,000 yearly fee for caller H-1B applicants and renewals, effective September 21, 2025. This fee, aimed astatine prioritizing U.S. workers, does not use to existing H-1B holders. Starting successful October 2025, a $250 Visa Integrity Fee will beryllium applied to astir nonimmigrant visa categories, including B, F, M, H-1B, and J visas. This non-waivable interest intends to heighten visa compliance and monitoring.

Visa applications are processed astatine nan U.S. Embassy successful Riyadh and nan U.S. Consulate General successful Dhahran. Appointments tin beryllium scheduled done nan U.S. Visa Information and Appointment Services website. It’s important to show beardown ties to Saudi Arabia by providing grounds of employment, family, aliases spot ownership, which ensures your return aft nan U.S. visit. Applicants should besides hole financial documents specified arsenic slope statements aliases affidavits of support.

Egyptian Travelers: US Visa Fee Updates for 2025 and Beyond

As of September 21, 2025, Egyptian citizens applying for U.S. visas will brushwood circumstantial exertion fees based connected their visa type. For astir nonimmigrant visas, specified arsenic nan B-1/B-2 for business and tourism, F-1 for students, J-1 for speech visitors, H-1B for specialty workers, and E-2 for investors, nan modular interest is $185. These fees are non-refundable and use to a wide scope of visa categories.

For petition-based visas, specified arsenic nan H-1B for caller applicants, a important interest summation applies, totaling $185 positive an further $100,000. This added fee, implemented by an executive bid connected September 19, 2025, is only applicable to caller H-1B applicants and does not impact those renewing their visas.

Moreover, applicants whitethorn besides beryllium required to salary an further Visa Issuance Fee, depending connected nan applicant’s nationality and circumstantial visa type, arsenic per reciprocity agreements betwixt nan U.S. and Egypt. Starting successful fiscal twelvemonth 2026, a caller $250 Visa Integrity Fee will beryllium applied to various nonimmigrant visas, including B-1/B-2, F, M, H-1B, and J visas. This interest is non-waivable and non-refundable.

Oman’s Guide to U.S. Visa Application Fees and Steps for 2025: Know nan Process

For Omani citizens applying for a U.S. visa, nan process involves respective steps and associated fees. First, applicants must find nan due visa type, specified arsenic nan B-1/B-2 for business and tourism, F-1 for world students, aliases H-1B for specialty business workers. The DS-160 form must beryllium completed online, followed by nan costs of nan visa exertion fee. The fees for nonimmigrant visas scope from $185 for B-1/B-2, F-1, and J-1 visas, to $205 for H-1B, and $315 for E-2 visas. After paying nan fees, applicants must schedule an assignment via nan U.S. Visa Information and Appointment Services website. Visa interviews astatine nan U.S. Embassy successful Muscat are mandatory, and applicants must bring their passport, DS-160 confirmation page, interest receipt, and applicable supporting documents.

In summation to nan visa fee, applicants for F and M visas must salary nan SEVIS I-901 fee of $220. H-1B applicants are besides taxable to a caller yearly $100,000 fee, which applies to caller visa applications. Additional costs whitethorn see aesculapian exams, archive translation, and courier fees. It’s important to statement that nan visa exertion fees are valid for 1 twelvemonth from nan day of payment, and applicants should guarantee they be their scheduled interviews wrong this period. Lastly, applicants should beryllium cautious erstwhile utilizing third-party services to debar scams. Detailed instructions for payments and scheduling are disposable connected nan U.S. Visa Information website.

Jordanian Citizens: Understanding U.S. Visa Fees and Application Changes for 2025

For Jordanian citizens applying for a U.S. visa, nan fees alteration depending connected nan type of visa. For astir nonimmigrant visas, specified arsenic nan B-1/B-2 for business aliases tourism, F-1 for students, and J-1 for speech visitors, nan modular exertion interest is $185. Petition-based visas for illustration nan H-1B for specialty business workers besides person a interest of $185 for renewals. However, caller applicants for an H-1B visa will look an further $100,000 fee, which was introduced successful 2025 to thief negociate precocious volumes of caller applicants.

Additionally, depending connected nan nationality and circumstantial visa type, location whitethorn beryllium an other Visa Issuance Fee, which varies based connected reciprocity agreements betwixt nan U.S. and Jordan. Starting successful fiscal twelvemonth 2026, nan U.S. authorities will instrumentality a $250 Visa Integrity Fee for various nonimmigrant visa categories, including B-1/B-2, F, M, H-1B, and J visas.

These fees are non-refundable, meaning that if nan visa is denied, nan applicant does not get their money back. Payment tin beryllium made online done nan U.S. Visa Information and Appointment Services website aliases astatine designated local banks successful Jordan. Applicants are encouraged to cheque nan U.S. Embassy successful Jordan’s charismatic website for nan astir up-to-date accusation connected visa fees, costs methods, and different requirements.

New $100,000 Fee for H-1B Applicants Starting September 2025

The $100,000 interest for caller H-1B visa applicants, which is group to return effect connected September 21, 2025, is simply a important update successful nan U.S. visa process. This interest is intended to prioritize U.S. workers by limiting nan number of H-1B visas issued to overseas workers successful specialty occupations. It applies specifically to new applicants seeking an H-1B visa, and is not required for those renewing aliases transferring their existing visas. The interest was introduced arsenic portion of an executive bid aimed astatine ensuring much occupation opportunities for American citizens, peculiarly successful sectors for illustration exertion and specialized professions wherever request for overseas labour is high. The $100,000 fee is successful summation to nan regular $185 visa exertion fee, making nan costs of applying for this visa importantly higher for first-time applicants. Employers filing for H-1B workers are responsible for paying this fee.

UAE faces a $100,000 interest for caller H-1B visa applicants and a $250 Visa Integrity Fee, joining Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, Oman, Jordan, and different Middle Eastern countries successful facing important caller charges nether nan updated U.S. visa program. These changes are portion of nan U.S. government’s efforts to prioritize U.S. workers and streamline nan visa process.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nan U.S. visa exertion process for citizens from various countries, including those successful nan Middle East and North Africa, continues to germinate pinch caller interest structures and requirements aimed astatine improving visa integrity and managing demand. From nan Visa Integrity Fee to H-1B interest increases, these changes underscore nan U.S. government’s efforts to heighten compliance and streamline nan migration process. For applicants, it’s basal to enactment informed astir nan latest updates, peculiarly regarding interest adjustments and eligibility criteria. By knowing these changes, travelers tin amended navigate nan visa process, ensuring a smoother and much businesslike experience. As always, checking nan charismatic U.S. Embassy aliases Consulate website for nan astir existent guidelines and costs methods remains important for a successful application.