South Africa joins Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, and other African countries in facing new travel charges under the updated U.S. visa program next year. This change reflects efforts to streamline applications but adds financial burdens on travelers from these nations. As the U.S. looks to revise its visa procedures, the introduction of additional charges will impact many African travelers who are already navigating economic constraints. Countries like South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, which have long been key sources of tourism and business visits to the U.S., will now see an increase in the cost of obtaining a visa, potentially affecting the number of visitors. This policy shift may cause many travelers to reassess their plans, with the added financial strain likely to alter travel patterns and force individuals to explore other destinations or delay trips. While the U.S. aims to simplify its visa process, this added expense could hinder travel from Africa to the U.S., impacting both tourism and business exchanges.

South Africa Braces for U.S. Visa Fee Surge: What It Means for Travelers

South Africa, a major hub for business and tourism, will also feel the effects of the visa fee increase, with the total cost rising to $435 in 2026. The base fee of $185, combined with the $250 Visa Integrity Fee, could pose financial barriers for South Africans seeking to visit the U.S. for education, business, or tourism. Students, in particular, may be deterred from studying in the U.S., impacting academic exchanges. Moreover, professionals and small business owners could face difficulties in securing visas, potentially hindering business opportunities and reducing the overall flow of South African visitors to the U.S.

In addition to visa fees, South African travelers will also need to budget for park charges when visiting U.S. national parks and hotel taxes, which can vary between 10-15% of the room rate depending on the location.

Fee TypeAmount (US $)

Base non-petition visa application

185

Visa Integrity Fee

250

SEVIS Fee (for students & exchange visitors)

350

Estimated Total (non-petition)

435

Park Charges

20-35

Hotel Taxes (per night)

10-15%

Uganda’s Visa Cost Spike: What It Means for Students & Professionals

Ugandans will also feel the impact of the U.S. visa fee increase, with the total cost rising to $435 in 2026. The base fee for non-petition visas, currently set at $160, will increase due to the addition of the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. Many Ugandans, particularly students and professionals, rely on U.S. visas for educational and business purposes, and the higher fees may limit their ability to apply. This could result in a decrease in the number of Ugandans pursuing opportunities in the U.S., affecting educational exchanges, business opportunities, and cultural interactions between Uganda and the U.S.

In addition to the visa costs, Ugandan travelers to the U.S. will face park charges when visiting national parks, which generally range from $20 to $35 per visit. Furthermore, they will also need to account for hotel taxes in various U.S. cities, which can be anywhere from 10% to 15% of the room rate.

Fee TypeAmount (US $)

Base non-petition visa application

185

Visa Integrity Fee

250

SEVIS Fee (for students & exchange visitors)

350

Estimated Total (non-petition)

435

Park Charges

20-35

Hotel Taxes (per night)

10-15%

Nigeria Faces Major U.S. Visa Cost Increase: The Impact on Business & Education

Nigeria will face one of the most significant impacts of the 2026 U.S. visa fee increase, with the total cost for a non-immigrant visa rising to $435. The base application fee of $160, plus the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee, will create financial barriers for many Nigerians, particularly students and business travelers. Nigeria has a high volume of U.S. visa applicants, many of whom rely on affordable visa costs for educational, professional, and business purposes. The fee increase could lead to fewer Nigerians applying for U.S. visas, thereby reducing cultural exchanges, educational opportunities, and business collaborations between the two nations.

Along with these visa fees, Nigerian travelers to the U.S. will also have to account for park charges for national park entry, which typically range between $20 and $35. Additionally, hotel taxes will be an ongoing cost, usually ranging from 10% to 15% of the room rate.

Fee TypeAmount (US $)

Base non-petition visa application

185

Visa Integrity Fee

250

SEVIS Fee (for students & exchange visitors)

350

Estimated Total (non-petition)

435

Park Charges

20-35

Hotel Taxes (per night)

10-15%

Kenya’s Rising Visa Fees: Economic and Educational Impacts

Kenya will experience a substantial rise in U.S. visa costs starting in 2026, with the total cost increasing to $435 due to the new Visa Integrity Fee. This increase will likely affect many Kenyans, particularly students who rely on U.S. visas for higher education, as well as professionals seeking business opportunities. The higher visa costs may discourage potential applicants, limiting the number of Kenyans able to study, work, or travel in the U.S. The fee hike could slow down the exchange of knowledge and ideas between the two countries, reducing tourism and professional collaborations between Kenya and the U.S.

In addition to the visa fees, Kenyan travelers will also face park charges for accessing U.S. national parks, generally ranging from $20 to $35 per visit. Hotel guests will also need to pay hotel taxes, which range from 10% to 15% of the room rate, depending on the location of the hotel.

Fee TypeAmount (US $)

Base non-petition visa application

185

Visa Integrity Fee

250

SEVIS Fee (for students & exchange visitors)

350

Estimated Total (non-petition)

435

Park Charges

20-35

Hotel Taxes (per night)

10-15%

Egypt Faces Steep Visa Fee Hike: What It Means for Travelers

Starting in 2026, Egypt will face a significant rise in U.S. visa fees due to the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee. This will increase the total visa cost to $435, up from the current base fee of $160. Egypt’s tourism, education, and business sectors, which rely heavily on affordable U.S. visas, could be adversely affected by this hike. Students and small business owners, in particular, may be discouraged from applying, leading to fewer Egyptians pursuing opportunities in the U.S. This may result in a decrease in cultural exchange, tourism, and business ties between Egypt and the U.S., as well as fewer educational exchange programs.

Additionally, travelers to the U.S. can expect to pay additional costs such as park charges for national parks and hotel taxes that vary by state and locality, often ranging between 10-15%.

Fee TypeAmount (US $)

Base non-petition visa application

185

Visa Integrity Fee

250

SEVIS Fee (for students & exchange visitors)

350

Estimated Total (non-petition)

435

Park Charges

20-35

Hotel Taxes (per night)

10-15%

Moroccans Face Higher U.S. Visa Costs: Impact on Education & Travel

Morocco will see its U.S. visa fees increase to approximately $435 starting in 2026, due to the addition of the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. This increase will significantly impact Moroccan students, business professionals, and tourists, who frequently rely on affordable U.S. visas for educational, business, and travel opportunities. Many Moroccan students who wish to pursue higher education in the U.S. could be deterred by the higher costs, reducing the flow of academic exchanges. Additionally, small businesses and tourists may find it financially challenging to apply for U.S. visas, affecting Morocco’s tourism and cultural connections with the U.S.

In addition to visa fees, Moroccan travelers to the U.S. will face park charges for visiting national parks and hotel taxes, which typically range from 10% to 15% of the room rate, depending on the state and city.

Fee TypeAmount (US $)

Base non-petition visa application

185

Visa Integrity Fee

250

SEVIS Fee (for students & exchange visitors)

350

Estimated Total (non-petition)

435

Park Charges

20-35

Hotel Taxes (per night)

10-15%

Additional U.S. Visa Costs Starting in 2026

In addition to the base visa application fee and Visa Integrity Fee, applicants from affected African countries will face several other charges starting in 2026:

SEVIS Fee: For students and exchange visitors, the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) Fee is approximately $350. This is a mandatory fee for anyone applying for an F, M, or J visa category.
Issuance Fee: Depending on the applicant’s country of origin, there may be an additional visa issuance fee that varies by country. This fee is typically paid after visa approval and can range from $0 to $250 or more.
Reciprocity Fees: These fees are imposed by the U.S. government based on a reciprocal arrangement with the applicant’s home country. They can vary significantly depending on the nationality and type of visa being applied for.
Park Charges: For those visiting national parks, travelers will need to budget for entry fees, typically ranging from $20 to $35.
Hotel Taxes: Hotel taxes in the U.S. can range from 10% to 15% of the room rate, depending on the location.

South Africa joins Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, and other African countries in facing new travel charges under the updated U.S. visa program next year. This change reflects efforts to streamline applications but adds financial burdens on travelers from these nations.

Conclusion

South Africa’s inclusion, alongside Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, and other African countries, in facing new travel charges under the updated U.S. visa program next year reflects a broader shift in U.S. visa policy. While the updates aim to streamline the application process, the added financial burden could discourage travel from these regions, impacting tourism and business exchanges. Travelers will need to carefully consider the new costs, and it remains to be seen how this will affect travel patterns between these African nations and the U.S. Going forward, balancing these new charges with efforts to maintain accessibility will be crucial for both U.S. visa authorities and potential travelers. (TTW)

Update news