US Plans Up to $15,000 Visa Bonds for Travelers from High-Overstay Countries

The US State Department is launching a 12-month pilot program starting August 20 that will require certain travelers applying for B-1 and B-2 visas to post refundable bonds of up to $15,000 to discourage visa overstays. The pilot targets applicants from countries with high rates of visa overstays, deficient screening and vetting, or concerns such as citizenship-by-investment programs, though the specific countries affected have not yet been publicly disclosed. Travelers required to pay the bond must enter and depart the US through designated airports and will have their bond refunded if they comply with visa terms and leave on time; otherwise, the bond is forfeited. This initiative revives a proposal from President Donald Trump's earlier term, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and aligns with his administration's broader crackdown on immigration and border security, including travel bans on certain countries. The program also aims to serve as a diplomatic tool encouraging foreign governments to improve identity verification and public safety measures. The State Department estimates the pilot could generate up to $20 million and has granted consular officers discretion in setting bond amounts based on individual cases.