US To Implement Visa Bonds Of Up To $15,000 For Select Foreign Visitors.
The United States is set to launch a pilot programme requiring certain foreign nationals applying for tourist or business visas to pay bonds of up to $15,000, according to a US State Department announcement. The initiative, which targets visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates, aims to ensure compliance with visa terms and is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to address illegal immigration.
Starting on 20 August 2025, the 12-month programme will apply to B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants from nations identified by the Department of Homeland Security as having significant overstay rates, weak document security, or offering citizenship through investment without residency requirements. Consular officers will have discretion to set bond amounts at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with a general expectation of at least $10,000. The bonds will be refunded to travellers who depart the US within the terms of their visas, but forfeited if they overstay.
The State Department has not yet specified which countries will be affected, but a notice in the Federal Register indicates that the list will be published at least 15 days before the programme’s start. According to 2023 Department of Homeland Security data, over 500,000 non-immigrant visitors remained in the US beyond their authorised stay, with countries like Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, and Yemen noted for high overstay rates. The programme also seeks to address concerns over deficient screening and vetting processes in certain nations.
This marks a revival of a similar initiative from November 2020, which was not fully implemented due to pandemic-related travel restrictions. The State Department described the programme as a “diplomatic tool” to encourage foreign governments to improve vetting and ensure their nationals comply with US immigration laws. However, the US Travel Association has raised concerns, estimating that the policy could affect around 2,000 applicants, primarily from countries with low travel volumes to the US. Critics, including Alex Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute, warn that the bonds, combined with a recently introduced $250 “visa integrity fee,” could deter tourism and harm the US economy, which has already seen an 11.6% drop in overseas visitors in March 2025.
Social media reactions on platforms like X reflect mixed sentiments, with some users expressing frustration, arguing that the high fees could “say goodbye to tourism” while acknowledging the intent to curb illegal overstays. The programme, set to run until 5 August 2026, will test the feasibility of processing bonds, previously deemed “cumbersome” by the State Department, and could shape future visa policies.
As the US tightens its immigration measures, the visa bond programme underscores the balance between national security and maintaining the country’s appeal as a global travel destination. With the list of targeted countries still pending, prospective travellers await further clarity on how the policy will impact their plans.
