Will Visa Applicants Need to Post a Bond of Up to $15,000 to Enter the US?
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Synopsis
In a significant policy shift, the US State Department is launching a pilot program that may require foreign nationals to post bonds of up to $15,000 for business or tourism visas. This proposed measure is aimed at reducing visa overstays while implementing stricter vetting procedures for visa applicants.
Key Takeaways
- Visa bond requirements may range from $5,000 to $15,000.
- The bond program targets travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates.
- A new vetting process includes social media scrutiny for student visa applicants.
- The program will be implemented 15 days after official notice.
- Countries affected will be revealed online prior to implementation.
Washington, Aug 5 (NationPress) The US State Department is preparing to initiate a pilot scheme that may necessitate foreign individuals seeking business or tourism visas to provide a bond of up to $15,000 to gain entry into the United States, as indicated by a preview of a bond notice displayed on the Federal Register website.
According to the notice, under the 12-month "visa bond pilot program," consular officials might require specific business and tourist visa applicants to submit guarantee bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The official publication of this notice is scheduled for Tuesday.
This program will be implemented 15 days following its official publication.
The bonds may be demanded from travelers coming from nations identified by the State Department as having elevated rates of visa overstays or insufficient screening and vetting information, as stated in the notice.
While the notice did not disclose the specific countries impacted, it mentioned that the list would be made available online at least 15 days prior to its implementation, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
This proposal emerges as the Trump administration persists in tightening visa regulations. Recently, the State Department revealed that numerous visa renewal applicants would now be required to undergo an additional in-person interview, which was previously not compulsory.
Moreover, the US State Department has instructed its diplomatic missions to scrutinize the social media and online presence of all foreigners applying for student visas.
US diplomatic missions will evaluate applicants' social media and online activities for any signs of hostility towards the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or foundational principles of the United States, according to a departmental cable cited by US media.
As per new guidelines, consular officers are mandated to perform an extensive and meticulous vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants.
This screening process will be applicable to both new and returning student visa applicants, and those who decline to set their social media accounts' privacy settings to "public" may face rejection.
On Wednesday, the department also authorized its outposts to recommence the processing of applications for foreigners seeking student visas, a process that had been put on hold since May 27.
Point of View
I believe that while the tightening of visa regulations aims to enhance security and reduce overstays, it is crucial to approach this initiative with caution. We must ensure that it does not unjustly impact genuine travelers and international relations, balancing safety and accessibility.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the proposed bond amount for visa applicants?
Visa applicants may be required to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the assessment by consular officers.
Why is the US implementing this bond requirement?
The bond requirement is intended to mitigate the risk of visa overstays and to enhance the vetting process for foreign nationals.
Which countries will be affected by this program?
The specific countries have not yet been disclosed, but they will be identified by the State Department based on visa overstay rates.
When will this bond program take effect?
The program will commence 15 days after the official publication of the bond notice.
How will social media scrutiny affect visa applicants?
Visa applicants will need to set their social media accounts to public, or they may face rejection during the application process.
