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The US State Department is proposing that individuals applying for business and tourist visas may need to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, a decision that could render the process unaffordable for many.
In a notice scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on Tuesday, the department said it would launch a 12-month pilot program where applicants from countries identified as having high overstay rates and weak internal document security may be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 when seeking a visa.
This proposal comes as the Trump administration is tightening visa application requirements. Just last week, the State Department revealed that many applicants seeking visa renewals would be required to attend an additional in-person interview, which was previously unnecessary. Furthermore, the department is suggesting that applicants for the Visa Diversity Lottery program must possess valid passports from their country of citizenship.
A preview of the bond notice, which was shared on the Federal Register website Monday, indicated that the pilot program would commence within 15 days following its formal publication, and is essential to ensure that the U.S. government is not financially responsible if a visitor fails to adhere to the conditions of their visa.
The countries affected will be identified once the program is activated, according to the notice. The bond requirement could be waived depending on the specific circumstances of an applicant.
Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, which permits travel for business or tourism for periods of up to 90 days, would not be subject to this bond requirement. Most of the 42 countries included in this program are located in Europe, along with some in Asia, the Middle East, and other regions.
Though visa bonds have been discussed in the past, they have yet to be implemented. Traditionally, the State Department has been against the notion of implementing them due to the burdensome nature of posting and releasing a bond, as well as potential public misunderstandings.
