U.S. Visa Bonds Up to $15,000 for Select Tourists
The U.S. government has announced a new pilot program that will require some business and tourist visa applicants to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The program is scheduled to begin on August 20, 2025, and will run for one year.
The move is aimed at curbing visa overstays and will apply only to certain countries with high rates of violations or limited screening capacity. Officials stated that only a small number of travelers would be affected, and most countries will not fall under this policy.
Bond Conditions and Exemptions
The bond must be paid before receiving a B-1 or B-2 visa and will be refunded if the traveler leaves the U.S. on time. In cases of naturalization or death during the stay, the bond will also be returned. However, if a visitor overstays, the bond may be forfeited entirely.
Travelers from countries under the U.S. Visa Waiver Program will not be impacted. The list of affected countries is expected to be released soon, and exemptions may apply in specific circumstances such as humanitarian travel.
Policy Origins and Reintroduction
This policy was initially proposed in 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current administration has revived it as part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement while still allowing lawful travel.
Travel Industry Reactions
The bond policy is expected to impact only a limited number of travelers, roughly 2,000 people based on previous estimates. However, some experts believe the measure could deter tourism and create administrative challenges for applicants.
The government has clarified that this is a temporary, small-scale pilot, and its effectiveness will be reviewed after a year.
