If you're an Indian student applying for a US visa in 2025, here are the three vital updates you must know:

1. $250 Visa Integrity Fee
   Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, all applicants for non-immigrant visas - including student categories F, M, and J - must pay a non-waivable $250 fee (approximately ₹21,500), in addition to existing charges like the MRV and I‑94 fees.

2. Refund Policy Conditions
   The fee is refundable - but only if the visa holder fully complies with terms: no overstays, no unauthorized work, and departure within five days of visa expiry.

3. Mandatory Social Media and Interview Screening

   • Social media: Student visa applicants must list all handles used in the past five years and keep profiles public, enabling digital background review .

   • Interviews: From September 2, 2025, in‑person interviews will be mandatory for nearly all non‑immigrant visa applicants, overruling previous exemptions.

Together, these changes raise the US visa cost to around $425–$473 (₹36,000–40,000) for Indian applicants. Planning ahead—and staying compliant on social platforms - is now essential for smooth visa processing.