Visa Bonds: U.S. Cracks Down on Overstays with New Pilot Program

The U.S. is launching a pilot program requiring bonds of up to $15,000 for certain tourist and business visas to tackle visa overstays. This initiative allows consular officers discretion in imposing bonds on visitors from countries with high overstay rates and insufficient vetting. Fees totaling $250 also apply.

The United States is set to introduce a pilot program requiring bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas, as stated in a government notice on Monday. This initiative aims to address the issue of visa overstays by granting U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose bonds on visitors from countries with high overstay rates or insufficient vetting procedures.

During his presidency, Donald Trump prioritized cracking down on illegal immigration, implementing measures such as a travel ban impacting citizens from 19 nations based on national security concerns. These policies have led to a significant reduction in travel to the U.S., with a noted 20% year-over-year decline in travel from Canada and Mexico.

The new visa bond program, effective August 20, will run for about a year. It offers consular officers three bond options for applicants deemed necessary: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. This initiative follows a similar, though not fully implemented, program from late 2020. A State Department spokesperson highlighted criteria for targeting countries, many of which overlap with Trump's travel ban nations.

(With inputs from agencies.)