US to make visa bond requirements permanent, affecting mostly African countries
A nearly year-long review found the bond program curbed visa overstays, as nearly 45,500 visitors from the covered countries overstayed in 2024, officials said.
- The State Department is making its visa bond program permanent, increasing the maximum bond to $20,000, according to a draft notice published Friday in the Federal Register.
- To reduce visa overstays, the Trump administration launched the program last August as part of broader efforts to curtail illegal migration. Nearly 45,500 visitors from the 50 affected countries overstayed their visas in 2024.
- A nearly year-long review 'provided sufficient data' that the program enforces compliance, with pilot results showing an 83% decline in visas issued and fewer than 50 overstays recorded.
- The government estimates arresting and deporting visitors who overstay visas costs about $18,000 per person, justifying the higher bond to reduce demand for B1/B2 visa applications.
- Critics argue the policy imposes an 'unnecessarily harsh burden' on people from impoverished countries seeking to visit family or pursue business opportunities, while the notice becomes official on Monday.
34 Articles
34 Articles
U.S. will make visa bond program permanent, affecting mostly African countries
A draft notice published Friday in the Federal Register says a nearly year-long review “provided sufficient data” to suggest the bond program effectively enforces compliance with visa conditions, and would be made permanent.
US makes visa bond permanent for 50 countries, raises cap to USD 20,000
The US has made its visa bond programme permanent for citizens of 50 countries and raised the cap to USD 20,000. The move signals tougher scrutiny of visitors from poorer nations even as officials cite fewer overstays.
U.S. to make visa bond requirements permanent, affecting mostly African countries
The Trump administration rolled out the program last August to crack down on visa overstays and as part of its broader efforts to curtail illegal migration. The government estimates that arresting and deporting visitors who have overstayed their visa costs about $18,000 per person.
Associated Press News
US to make visa bond requirements permanent, affecting mostly African countries
The State Department is making permanent a pilot program under which citizens from 50 countries, mainly in Africa, are required to post bonds to apply for a U.S. visa, and it’s raising the cost as well, to as much as $20,000.
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