Highlight: UAE residents planning trips to the US this year or in the near future, please pay attention. The mandatory $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ is here.
Tourism is the latest rage and it is here to stay for a pretty long time. It has been found that one in three UAE residents is planning to travel abroad at least a couple of times this year, according to the Allianz Partners Travel Index 2025.
The poll collected responses from 500 UAE residents. The Middle East remains the most popular region and Europe also gathers a lot of attention. But the US has also emerged as a great place to explore for UAE residents.
Essentially, travel planning has been happening up to three months prior to the trip and social media platforms, such as Instagram and YouTube, are abundantly responsible for influencing decisions. Safety and peace of mind are the other top priorities for UAE residents.
$250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’: US visa fees take a strong launch
Embarking on a trip to the US from the UAE can be really exciting. Full of endless possibilities, this trip can be centred around iconic landmarks, nature parks, foodies’ hotspots or a mix of it all. To be honest, the US is one of the best places to explore on a trip abroad.
But it is equally or perhaps more important to plan. Things change all the time and it is necessary to remain updated. For instance, the US introduced a $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ for non-immigrant visa applicants earlier this month.
Part of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, this fee applies to nearly all non-immigrant visa categories, including tourism. The amount is indexed to inflation and shall be adjusted each year on the basis of Consumer Price Index (CPI).
UAE residents planning trips to the US this year or in the near future, please pay attention. The mandatory $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ has been described as a recurring surcharge. For fiscal year 2025, the fee is going to be at least $250.
Beginning in 2026, the fee could increase on the basis of inflation. The fee may be refunded but reimbursement is absolutely conditional. There are some conditions to respect and applicants also need to present sufficient documentation.
For reimbursement, the person needs to have met all visa rules, including leaving the US in 5 days after the expiration of the visa and not requesting for an extension. There are some other criteria, too. You can find all the details in the official announcement.
US Visa Integrity Fee: Impact on UAE residents planning trips to US
The $250 ‘Visa Integrity Fee’ announced earlier this month is on top of the existing $185 non-immigrant visa fee, taking the total cost of getting a US tourist visa to at least $435 per applicant. This is the minimum figure, considering there is no reimbursement.
This means it is going to cost Dh900 more for a US visa for UAE residents and the total minimum amount could be Dh1,600. But is the Visa Integrity Fee going to significantly impact the urge of UAE residents to explore the US?
There is going to be not much of an impact because the long-term benefits take care of the challenges. Upon getting a US visa, applicants are also granted visa-free entries to a number of other countries across the globe.
US visa a potential key to visa-free travel
Khaleej Times recently quoted a businessperson in the UAE noting that the US visa has added a lot of value for his travel plans. The person used the visa to visit Mexico and also got other countries’ visas easily because of it.
This means that despite the additional cost of at least Dh900, many people in the UAE do not see this as a reason to stop planning trips to the US. In fact, this tourist visa also helps ensure a smooth transit through airports in different parts of the globe.
Experts stress that because of the incredible perks attached to US visas, the demand is not going to take a fall despite the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. The US visa makes getting other visas easier and, for many countries, opens the doors to e-visas or visa-free travel.
The long validity of the US visa is also an important factor supporting its popularity. US visitor visas are typically valid for up to 10 years and permit multiple entries (though the permitted duration of stay during each visit is usually limited to six months).
US Visitor Visa scenario for UAE residents
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country planning a trip to the US must first obtain a non-immigrant visa for a temporary stay. Visitor visas are non-immigrant visas for people looking to explore the US for business, for tourism or for a combination of both.
B-2 visa is meant for tourism, vacation, visiting friends or relatives, participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social or service organisations, and plenty of other reasons. You can find all the details on the official platform.
There are numerous steps to applying for a US visitor visa. The order of these steps could be different on the basis of US Embassy or Consulate in different countries. Consular officers are likely to require an interview of any visa applicant.
You should generally schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in the country you reside in. It is possible to schedule an appointment at another country but it could be difficult to demonstrate your qualifications there.
Getting a US tourist visa for UAE residents
The key is nailing that appointment! Pay the non-refundable visa application fee, if you are required to pay it before your interview. If the visa is approved, you may also need to pay a visa issuance fee. Learn more about fee payment on the US Embassy or Consulate site.
Before your US visa interview, gather and prepare a set of documents, including passport valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the US, non-immigrant visa application, Form DS-160 confirmation page, fee payment receipt and a photo.
Some additional documents may also be requested, including proof of the purpose of your trip, intent to depart the US after your trip, and/or ability to pay all expenses of the trip. For purpose and intent, you might present proof of your employment and/or family ties.
Failure to depart the US on time is going to result in being Out Of Status. The situation may also result in you being considered ineligible for visas in the future. Do not make final travel plans or purchase flight tickets before you have a visa.
UAE is part of US Global Entry: Benefits for tourists
In 2024, the UAE became a part of the US Global Entry programme. This is important as the membership helps speed up entry through US airports for UAE residents. The process becomes much simpler as you get to skip long queues and focus on just the fun part.
Global Entry expedites customs checks for pre-approved travellers from select countries. This programme screens the security background of applicants before travel. Members can immediately check in at a Global Entry kiosk at a US airport.
In order to qualify for Global Entry, UAE applicants need to create a Trusted Traveller Programs (TTP) account, pay a non-refundable application fee and schedule an appointment. Don’t forget to bring a valid passport and one other form of identification to the interview.
Members can bypass traditional US passport control queues for five years, enhancing the experience. They can also get expedited clearance at 15 US CBP Preclearance locations in multiple countries, including Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi.
US CBP Preclearance facility at Zayed International
The US CBP Preclearance facility is accessible for all Etihad flights to the US. Check in at Zayed International – Terminal A at least four hours before departure. Then, reach the facility 2 hours before departure or 90 minutes if travelling in Business, First or the Residence.
Please note here that the US CBP Preclearance facility at the Abu Dhabi airport closes one hour before your flight is scheduled to depart. This is important, especially if you are connecting to the US from another flight.
There are a number of facilities after one clears the US CBP Preclearance facility at Zayed International. You can find a cafe and a duty-free shop. The US Preclearance Lounge is also located nearby. Grab a drink, choose from a selection of light bites and relax.
It is also possible to board straight from the US Preclearance Lounge on some flights. Paid access cannot be booked prior to reaching the lounge and is subject to conditions at the time. You can use the lounge if one of these conditions is met, including
– Passenger on an Etihad flight in The Residence, First or Business
– Platinum Etihad guest member (plus one accompanying guest)
– Emerald Etihad guest member (plus 2 accompanying guests)
The US is quite a popular destination for UAE residents. But it is also true that the US is a significant source of tourists for the UAE, especially Dubai. In June 2023, the Emirate secured a spot on the list of the top three most popular destinations for US travellers.
Dubai ranked after Honolulu and Tokyo. In a global sense, Dubai is fast emerging as one of the most popular tourist destinations, offering a range of intriguing experiences and year-round sunshine (one of the most important factors).
You might think that the summer season results in temperatures soaring beyond 40 degrees Celsius in Dubai and tourism might be significantly impacted. It is not true, though, as indoor attractions take the lead, flight prices reduce and hotels share great deals.
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