US Makes Visa Bond Program Permanent for 50 Countries; India Unaffected
Consular officers may require covered B-1 and B-2 applicants to post bonds of up to $20,000 to curb visa overstays.
- Starting on August 3, the State Department will permanently implement a visa bond program requiring certain B-1 and B-2 applicants to post up to $20,000 before visa issuance, aiming to reduce overstays.
- Replacing a 2025 pilot program that offered bond tiers of $5,000, $10,000, and up to $15,000, the new Federal Register rule reflects official findings that such programs effectively enforce compliance among visa holders.
- Fifty countries, including 30 African nations, fall under the program mandate, though Indian citizens applying for B-1 or B-2 visas remain unaffected and follow standard application processes.
- President Donald Trump defended the measures as necessary to strengthen national security, part of his administration's broader effort to tighten immigration through higher fees and expanded screening for applicants.
- Immigration advocates argue the bond requirement could discourage legitimate travelers, while Rights groups criticize Trump's policies for allegedly undermining due process and creating unsafe environments for ethnic minorities.
20 Articles
20 Articles
US Makes Visa Bond Permanent For 50 Countries: Bonds Start At $10,000
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States is officially making its controversial visa bond program permanent. Starting on August 3, some foreign visitors will have to pay a massive fee. This strict rule applies to business and tourist visa applicants from 50 specific countries. Consular officers now have the power to demand a large cash bond. […] The post US Makes Visa Bond Permanent for 50 Countries: Bonds Start at $10,000 first appeared on Chiang R…
The Billings Gazette
US to make visa bonds program permanent
WASHINGTON — The U.S. State Department will make permanent a visa bond program that could require applicants from 50 countries, mostly in Africa, to post bonds of up to $20,000 when seeking U.S. visas, according to a federal notice posted…
US makes visa bond program permanent for 50 countries; India unaffected
The US State Department will make a visa bond program permanent. This program requires applicants from fifty nations to post bonds. Bonds can reach up to twenty thousand dollars for business and tourism visas. This policy aims to reduce visa overstays among travelers. Immigration advocates believe it will deter legitimate travel to the United States.
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