State Department Considers $15,000 Bond for U.S. Visas/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The U.S. State Department plans to launch a pilot program requiring visa applicants from certain countries to pay bonds up to $15,000. Targeted at nations with high visa overstay rates, the move is part of the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies. Critics say it could price many travelers out.
Visa Bond Proposal Quick Looks
- State Department proposes bond of $5,000–$15,000 for visa applicants
- Applies to countries with high overstay rates or weak document security
- A 12-month pilot program will start 15 days after official publication
- Bond applies to business and tourist visas, not Visa Waiver nations
- Trump administration previously tightened visa renewals and diversity lottery
- Bonds could be waived based on applicant circumstances
- Aims to hold applicants financially accountable for overstays
- Critics warn it could make travel unaffordable for many
- State has previously avoided visa bonds due to complexity and optics
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not yet publicly commented
Deep Look: State Department May Require Up to $15,000 Bond for Visa Entry Under New Pilot Program
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a move that could significantly change how foreign nationals enter the United States, the State Department is proposing a pilot program that would require some business and tourist visa applicants to pay bonds of up to $15,000. The policy targets individuals from countries with high visa overstay rates or limited ability to verify travel documents.
The 12-month trial, outlined in a notice set for publication in the Federal Register on Tuesday, is expected to go into effect within 15 days. It is part of the Trump administration’s broader push to tighten immigration and travel rules, even for short-term visitors.
Who Will Be Affected?
The bond requirement would apply to non-immigrant visa applicants—those entering the U.S. temporarily for business (B-1) or tourism (B-2)—from countries the U.S. government identifies as high-risk for overstays, or those that offer citizenship-by-investment programs with no residency requirements.
While the State Department has not yet published the full list of affected countries, it clarified that citizens of nations in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—which allows for 90-day visa-free travel—will not be subject to the bond. Most VWP countries are in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
The proposed bonds will range from $5,000 to $15,000, with the amount determined based on perceived risk. The requirement may be waived on a case-by-case basis, depending on the applicant’s personal history, purpose of travel, or ties to their home country.
What’s Behind the Policy?
According to a preliminary notice posted Monday, the goal of the pilot is to ensure compliance with visa terms and limit financial liability for the U.S. government in cases where a visitor overstays their permitted time.
“Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure … may be subject to the pilot program,” the notice said, especially when they come from countries that lack robust screening and vetting capabilities.
The move comes just days after the State Department mandated in-person interviews for many visa renewal applicants, reversing years of streamlined renewals. Additionally, new rules for the Diversity Visa Lottery will now require valid passports from the applicant’s country of citizenship to prevent fraudulent entries.
A Departure from Past Practice
Visa bond requirements have been proposed before but never implemented, largely because the process of posting and discharging bonds is complex and unpopular. For decades, the State Department has discouraged the idea due to logistical burdens and concerns about public perception.
But in the newly released proposal, the department argues that its previous objections are unsupported by evidence, since visa bonds haven’t actually been used in recent history to test those assumptions.
Critics of the bond requirement say it amounts to a financial barrier to entry, effectively preventing low- and middle-income travelers from accessing legitimate short-term travel opportunities in the U.S. Business leaders also warn the rule could deter trade and tourism from emerging markets.
Geopolitical Ramifications
The policy could also complicate U.S. relations with countries affected by the bond requirement—particularly China and India, whose citizens make up a large portion of short-term U.S. visa holders. Imposing financial requirements on travelers from these nations may fuel diplomatic tensions amid other ongoing disputes.
Though Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not publicly addressed the proposal, the policy aligns with the administration’s effort to curb immigration abuse and tighten screening protocols, especially after past reports of large-scale visa overstays.
What’s Next?
The pilot program is slated to run for one year, during which the government will monitor its effectiveness and collect feedback. Final implementation will depend on the program’s outcomes, public reaction, and possible legal challenges.
Once formally published, the public will have an opportunity to comment on the policy via the Federal Register.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.