New U.S. Visa Program Will Require Bonds up to $15,000

Travelers seeking a tourist or business visa to enter the U.S. could be subject to a $15,000 bond requirement going into effect later this month.

In a notice issued on the Federal Register, the State Department revealed it would roll out a 12-month long visa bond pilot program targeting countries with high rates of visa overstays. Under the program. consular officers could impose bonds ranging from $5,000, $10,000 to $15,000 from applicants residing in countries where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient.

The new visa program would begin Aug. 20 and last for approximately a year. Although consular officers can choose at their discretion what level of bond to impose, the $10,000 level will generally be required, according to the notice.

The notice clarified that the bonds are a temporary expenditure that will be fully refunded to nonimmigrant visa holders if all terms and conditions of the visa are met.

The proposed program is the latest move by the Trump administration to tighten requirements for visa applicants. Last week, the State Department announced that visa renewals would now require an in-person interview, and the cost of a U.S. visa is expected to double in 2026 thanks to the proposed $250 Visa Integrity Fee.

A State Department spokesperson told Reuters the current list of countries could be updated.

“Countries will be identified based on high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, concerns regarding acquisition of citizenship by investment without a residency requirement, and foreign policy considerations,” the spokesperson said.