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

The US State Department is set to launch a controversial pilot program requiring a visa bond of up to $15,000 for certain foreign visitors. This initiative aims to reduce the number of visa overstays but has drawn criticism for potentially making travel to the United States prohibitively expensive for many individuals.

According to a notice scheduled to be published on October 3, 2023, in the Federal Register, the program will focus on applicants for business and tourist (B-1/B-2) visas from countries identified as having high overstay rates or inadequate internal security and screening systems. The bond amounts will vary, with options set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The State Department stated that this measure is intended to “ensure that the US government is not financially liable if a visitor does not comply with the terms of his or her visa.”

Details of the Pilot Program

This visa bond requirement is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to tighten immigration and visa policies. Just last week, the State Department implemented stricter rules that mandate additional in-person interviews for many visa renewals. Additionally, new passport requirements for entrants into the Diversity Visa Lottery were proposed.

The preliminary notice, available on the Federal Register’s website, outlines the criteria for participation in the bond program. It states, “Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure who are nationals of countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates…may be subject to the pilot program.” The list of countries affected will be made public once the program takes effect, which will occur 15 days after formal publication. Importantly, the proposed bond will not apply to nationals from countries participating in the US Visa Waiver Program and may be waived on a case-by-case basis depending on individual circumstances.

Reactions to the Proposal

Visa bonds have been discussed in the past but have never been implemented due to logistical concerns and public perception challenges. The State Department acknowledged these past objections but asserted that they are now outdated. “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 explained.

Critics of the bond proposal argue that it could deter travel, complicate the visa application process, and convey a message that the US is becoming increasingly closed off. They are concerned that the financial burden could disproportionately affect individuals from developing countries, effectively limiting their ability to visit the United States.

Conversely, supporters of the policy contend that it could create financial incentives for visitors to adhere to immigration rules and address longstanding concerns about visa overstays, particularly from nations with historically high rates of noncompliance. Advocates suggest that such measures are necessary to maintain the integrity of the US immigration system.

As the proposal moves forward, the implications for international travel and US relations with affected countries remain to be seen. The program’s outcomes will likely influence future immigration policies and the perception of the United States as a destination for tourism and business.