Potential Visa Applicants Face Obligation to Deposit Bonds Worth up to $15,000 for US Entry
The U.S. State Department has announced a 12-month pilot program that requires certain foreign nationals to post a financial bond of up to $15,000 as a condition for obtaining a business (B-1) or tourist (B-2) visa. This pilot program, set to take effect within 15 days of its formal publication, is designed to reduce visa overstays and improve compliance with visa terms.
The program is targeted at aliens who are nationals of countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates, deficient screening and vetting information, or offering citizenship by investment with no residency requirement. However, citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program are exempt from this requirement.
The purpose of the proposed visa bond requirement is to act as a guarantee that the traveler will leave the U.S. before the visa expires or apply properly for an extension or change of status. If the traveler complies, the bond is refunded.
The impact of the visa bond requirement is multifaceted. On one hand, it aims to discourage visa overstays and reduce illegal immigration associated with visa overstays. On the other hand, it could potentially deter business travelers and tourists due to increased costs and restrictions. This could negatively affect industries reliant on international visits, including business collaboration, conferences, and tourism.
U.S. businesses and consular officers will also face added complexities in monitoring and managing the bond requirements, potentially increasing operational costs and complicating international engagement and recruitment efforts. Reduced travel flow from affected countries could hurt U.S. tourism and hospitality sectors and create diplomatic tensions, possibly resulting in reciprocal travel restrictions by foreign governments.
It is important to note that visa bonds have not generally been required in any recent period. The State Department's previous view against visa bonds is not supported by any recent examples or evidence. The cumbersome process of posting and discharging a bond has been a concern for the department in the past.
The proposal is part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten requirements for visa applicants. Last week, the State Department announced that many visa renewal applicants would have to submit to an additional in-person interview. The preview of the bond notice was posted on the Federal Register website on Monday.
[1] U.S. Department of State. (2025). Visa Bond Program Pilot. Retrieved from https://www.state.gov/visa-bond-program-pilot/ [2] U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2025). Visa Bond Program: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/visa-bond-program-faqs [3] White House. (2025). Fact Sheet: Strengthening U.S. Immigration Control through the Visa Bond Program. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/fact-sheet-strengthening-us-immigration-control-through-visa-bond-program/ [4] Migration Policy Institute. (2025). Analysis: The Visa Bond Program Proposal. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/news/analysis-visa-bond-program-proposal [5] National Foreign Trade Council. (2025). Statement on Visa Bond Program Proposal. Retrieved from https://www.nftc.org/press-releases/statement-on-visa-bond-program-proposal/
- The proposed Visa Bond Program, as part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten visa requirements, could potentially impact the business sector by discouraging international travelers due to increased costs, leading to potential losses for industries such as business collaboration, conferences, and tourism.
- The implementation of the 12-month Visa Bond Program pilot, designed to reduce visa overstays and improve compliance with visa terms, could lead to increased scrutiny and operational costs for U.S. businesses and consular officers, potentially straining international engagement and recruitment efforts, and creating diplomatic tensions with foreign governments.
