In a significant tightening of immigration policy, the United States is set to introduce a pilot programme requiring tourist and business visa applicants from selected countries to post bonds of up to $15,000. The move, unveiled by the State Department, is aimed at reducing visa overstays but could effectively price out many prospective travellers.
According to a formal notice, the 12-month pilot will target nationals from countries with high rates of visa overstays, inadequate identity verification systems, or those offering citizenship for investment schemes with minimal or no residency obligations.
Applicants from these countries may be asked to deposit $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition for visa approval. The bond, which will be refunded upon timely departure from the US, is intended to ensure compliance with visa terms. Waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis.
The measure will not affect citizens of countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Programme, which includes most European nations along with select countries in Asia and the Middle East.
This latest initiative represents yet another escalation in the Trump administration’s hardline stance on immigration. It follows recent policy changes requiring in-person interviews for many visa renewals, as well as a proposal mandating valid passports for applicants to the Diversity Visa Lottery Programme.
While visa bonds have previously been floated as a deterrent against overstaying, they have rarely been enforced. The State Department had previously expressed concerns over the bureaucratic complexity and potential reputational fallout of such a policy. However, the department now states that its earlier position was not based on extensive testing, arguing that bonds have yet to be properly evaluated in practice.
The specific countries affected by the scheme will be named once the policy officially takes effect, 15 days after its publication in the Federal Register.
Critics argue that the move could discourage legitimate travellers and penalise entire populations based on national overstay statistics. Supporters, however, see it as a necessary step to protect the integrity of the US visa system.
