Vincentians along with other Caribbean nationals will face steep new costs when applying for U.S. visas, asylum, or immigration relief, following the enactment of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” on July 4.
Among the most notable changes:
- A new $250 “visa integrity fee” for all temporary visa applicants. This applies on top of the current $185 application fee for popular visas such as:
- B-1/B-2 (tourist/business)
- C-1 (transit)
- D (crew)
- F (students)
- M (vocational students)
- J (exchange visitors)
- I (journalists)
The $250 fee (paid upon issuance of the visa) may be refunded if the visa goes unused and the applicant complies with all immigration terms—including avoiding unauthorized work or departing within five days of the visa’s expiration or secures a status adjustment.
Caribbean Americans sponsoring family or guiding relatives through the immigration system should also note several new and increased costs in asylum and court-related procedures:
- $1,000 fee to apply for asylum or enter the U.S. on parole
- $500 to apply for Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- $550 for a work permit application—required for both asylum seekers and parolees
- $100/year fee while asylum applications are pending
- $1,500 fee to adjust status to lawful permanent residency
- $1,500 to apply for a green card in immigration court
- $900 to appeal a judge’s decision or file motions to reopen a case
Work permits under the new law must be renewed every six months, with a $550 fee per renewal, placing additional strain on immigrants from the Caribbean and elsewhere who depend on authorization to work legally.
For families with unaccompanied minors, the bill introduces a $3,500 initial fee, a $5,000 release fee, and added financial penalties if the child fails to appear in immigration court—measures that immigrant rights groups warn will discourage sponsorship and family reunification.
With the bill now signed into law, Caribbean nationals and their U.S.-based relatives should brace for a more expensive—and complex—immigration system in the months ahead.
