US Proposes $15,000 Visa Bond for High-Risk Country Visitors

The US State Department is set to introduce a controversial visa bond requirement for certain foreign visitors, proposing amounts up to $15,000. This pilot program, aimed at reducing visa overstays, targets applicants from countries identified as high-risk due to elevated overstay rates or insufficient internal security measures. The initiative will be formally announced in a notice published in the Federal Register on October 31, 2023.

The pilot program will last for 12 months and apply specifically to those seeking B-1/B-2 visas for business or tourism. The proposed bond amounts will be tiered at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. According to the State Department, the bond aims to ensure that the US government is not financially liable should a visitor fail to adhere to the terms of their visa.

Details of the Proposed Visa Bond Program

This measure is part of a wider effort by the Trump administration to tighten immigration and visa policies. Recent changes include stricter rules for visa renewals, such as additional in-person interviews, and new passport requirements for participants in the Diversity Visa Lottery.

The advance copy of the Federal Register notice provides clarity on who will be affected by the bond requirement: “Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure and who are nationals of countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering citizenship by investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program.” The list of affected countries will be disclosed once the program is active, which will occur 15 days after the formal publication.

The proposed bond would notably not apply to nationals from countries that participate in the US Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, there may be case-by-case waivers based on individual circumstances.

Reactions and Concerns

The idea of implementing visa bonds has been discussed previously but has not been enacted due to logistical challenges and public perception concerns. The State Department acknowledges this history but believes that past objections no longer hold validity. “That prior view is not supported by any recent examples or evidence, as visa bonds have not generally been required in any recent period,” the notice states.

Critics of the bond proposal argue it could deter international travel, complicate the visa application process, and send a message that the US is becoming less welcoming. Conversely, supporters claim it could incentivize compliance with immigration regulations and address longstanding issues regarding visa overstays, particularly from countries with high violation rates.

As the pilot program approaches its launch, the implications for travel to the United States remain to be fully understood. The potential financial burden posed by the bond requirement may significantly affect the decisions of prospective travelers.