Some visa applicants to pay $15,000 bond under new US policy

The US State Department is going to launch a pilot programme that could require business and tourist visa applicants from certain countries to pay a bond of up to $15,000 in a move aimed at curbing visa overstays.

According to a notice scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Tuesday, the 12-month pilot programme would apply to nationals of countries identified as having high rates of visa overstays or inadequate internal document security.

The bonds set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 would be required as a condition of visa issuance.

The programme, expected to take effect within 15 days of its official announcement, is designed to reduce the financial burden on the US government in cases where visitors fail to comply with their visa terms. The bond would serve as a form of security, refundable upon departure in compliance with visa conditions.

The State Department said the pilot will apply to individuals entering the US temporarily for business or tourism from countries that either have high overstay rates, limited vetting capabilities, or offer citizenship by investment schemes with no residency requirement. A list of affected countries will be made public once the programme is underway.

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Travellers from nations participating in the US Visa Waiver Programme will be exempt from the bond requirement. In addition, consular officers will have discretion to waive the bond requirement in individual cases based on specific circumstances.

While the concept of visa bonds has surfaced in past immigration debates, they have rarely been enforced. The State Department acknowledged previous opposition, citing administrative burdens and potential public misperceptions. However, it noted that such concerns are not supported by recent experience, as the policy has not been actively tested in recent times.

The proposal is likely to draw scrutiny from immigration advocates and could impact thousands of would-be visitors, particularly from developing countries, where the cost of the bond may pose a significant barrier to travel.