Washington – US
The U.S. State Department is set to implement a new 12-month pilot program that could require some tourists and business travelers to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States. The policy, outlined in a notice to be published in the Federal Register, is aimed at reducing the number of visa overstays and strengthening immigration enforcement.
The program, which is scheduled to take effect on August 20, gives U.S. consular officers the discretion to require bonds from applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. The measure will apply to travelers from countries with a “high rate of visa overstays,” as well as those where “screening and vetting information is deemed deficient” or who obtained citizenship through “Citizenship by Investment” programs with no residency requirement.
The bond amounts will be set at three levels—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—with the specific amount determined by consular officers based on individual circumstances. The bond is refundable and will be returned to the traveler upon their timely departure from the United States, according to the Department of Homeland Security. If a traveler overstays their visa, the bond could be forfeited to help cover the costs of their removal.
This initiative is a revival of a similar program proposed during the first Trump administration in late 2020, which was never fully implemented due to the significant drop in global travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new program is being framed as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to improve their screening and vetting procedures.
The list of countries affected by the new policy has not yet been announced, but the State Department has stated it will be published on its official travel website at least 15 days before the program’s launch. The policy will not apply to citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program.
The announcement has already drawn criticism, with some experts and travel industry groups expressing concerns that the bond requirement could make travel to the U.S. unaffordable for many, potentially harming the tourism industry. The U.S. Travel Association previously argued that raising fees on international visitors acts as a “self-imposed tariff” on a major U.S. export.
