How New Visa Fees In The 'Big Beautiful Bill" Could Spoil The 2026 World Cup

Forbes

President Donald Trump’s marquee legislation includes steep increases to non-immigrant visa fees that kick in next year–just as the U.S. hopes to attract World Cup 2026 soccer supporters.  Subscribe to FORBES: https://www.youtube.com/user/Forbes?sub_confirmation=1  Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:  https://account.forbes.com/membership/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=growth_non-sub_paid_subscribe_ytdescript  Stay Connected Forbes newsletters: https://newsletters.editorial.forbes.com Forbes on Facebook: http://fb.com/forbes Forbes Video on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/forbes Forbes Video on Instagram: http://instagram.com/forbes More From Forbes:  http://forbes.com  Forbes covers the intersection of entrepreneurship, wealth, technology, business and lifestyle with a focus on people and success.

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00:00President Donald Trump's Big Beautiful Bill includes steep increases to non-immigrant visa fees that kick in next year,

00:07just as the U.S. hopes to attract World Cup 2026 soccer supporters.

00:11The bill introduces a new $250 visa integrity fee for most non-immigrant U.S. visas,

00:18including tourist, student, and work visas beginning in 2026.

00:22The new fee, added to the bill by Republican lawmakers on the House Judiciary Committee,

00:27is one of 22 immigration fees in the bill designed, quote,

00:31to encourage lawful conduct among foreign nationals visiting the United States.

00:36But critics, including U.S. tourism officials, say it will result in fewer international visitors to the United States.

00:43Jeff Freeman, president of the U.S. Travel Association, said in a statement, quote,

00:48Raising fees on lawful international visitors amounts to a self-imposed tariff on one of our nation's largest exports,

00:56international travel spending.

00:58International visitors spent $254 billion on U.S. travel and tourism in 2024.

01:04However, a World Travel and Tourism Council study predicted the U.S. would be the only country to see

01:10international visitors spending decline in 2025.

01:13In March, FIFA projected the World Cup 2026 will drive $30.5 billion in economic output in the U.S.,

01:21according to an analysis by Open Economics.

01:24But, that number was predicated on the assumption the U.S. will see an influx of visitors from foreign countries

01:30to fill stadiums and hotels.

01:32Quote,

01:32While other nations are rolling out the welcome mat, the U.S. government is putting up the closed sign,

01:37Julius Simpson, president and CEO of World Travel and Tourism Council, said in a statement.

01:42As a result, the U.S. tourism industry is on track to miss out on $29 billion in tourism revenue this year.

01:49The bill includes $4.1 billion to hire and train at least 5,000 new U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers

01:56and $2 billion in CBP retention bonuses to address staffing shortages at the agency.

02:02For more on the story, read the article at the link in the description.

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