The United States Departmentannounced a new pilot program requiring some visa applicants to pay bonds of up to $15,000. This initiative, set to begin on August 20 and last for 12 months, is a key component of the Trump administration's broader efforts to curb migration and specifically to discourage visa overstays. The program mandates that consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants, specifically those seeking B-1 or B-2 visas for business or tourism, to post collateral ranging from a minimum of $5,000 up to $15,000 as a condition for visa issuance.

Funds from these bonds will be returned to the applicants if they adhere to the terms of their stay in the U.S.; however, they will be forfeited if the individual remains in the country past their authorized deadline. Additionally, those required to pay these bonds will be restricted to entering and departing the United States via a list of pre-selected airports. The program targets foreign nationals from countries identified by the Department of Homeland Securityas having high visa overstay rates, and potentially those with deficient internal document security controls, with specific examples like Malawi and Zambia being mentioned as prospective targets. The exact list of affected countries is expected to be released once the program commences.

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TheState Department justified the program by calling it essential for protecting U.S. national security from the perceived threat posed by visa overstays. However, the proposal has faced criticism, with some denouncing it as a 'legalised shakedown' that could render the visa process prohibitively expensive for many lawful travelers. While visa bonds have been proposed in the past, they were typically not implemented due to concerns about the cumbersome nature of posting and discharging bonds, and potential public misperception. The department now asserts that previous views on the impracticality of visa bonds are not supported by recent evidence.

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This bond requirement is part of a series of measures undertaken by the Trump administration to tighten visa regulations. Other recent changes include new requirements for many visa renewal applicants to undergo additional in-person interviews, a departure from past procedures, and a proposal that applicants for the Diversity Visa Lottery program must hold valid passports from their country of citizenship. It is important to note that the visa bond requirement will not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program, which facilitates business or tourism travel for up to 90 days, primarily encompassing countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.