State Department Proposes $15,000 Bond for Some Visa Applicants
Washington — The U.S. State Department is introducing a new pilot program that may necessitate foreign nationals from particular countries to secure a bond of up to $15,000 when applying for business or tourism visas. This announcement is set to be made public in an upcoming notice.
Scheduled for release on Tuesday, the public notice outlines the terms of a 12-month “visa bond pilot program.” Under this initiative, consular officers could require these bonds to be posted by travelers hailing from nations identified as having elevated visa overstay rates or inadequate screening practices, according to the document.
Details of the Program
Although specific countries have not yet been disclosed, the State Department plans to release the list at least 15 days prior to the program’s implementation. The guidelines will appear in the Federal Register, with the pilot program’s official start expected about two weeks following the notice’s publication, running until August 2026.
This measure aligns with an executive order issued by President Trump at the beginning of his second term, which aims to mitigate illegal immigration—a key element of his policy framework. The order instructed the treasury secretary alongside the secretaries of state and homeland security to establish a visa bond system.
Economic Implications
Alex Nowrasteh, who serves as the vice president for economic and social policy studies at the Cato Institute, warned that these new measures could significantly hinder international travel to the U.S. “The bond requirement will likely dissuade many foreigners from visiting,” he stated. “The repercussions will be devastating for the tourism industry, which contributes over $200 billion annually to the U.S. economy.”
The State Department has characterized the pilot program as a diplomatic tool designed to address national security interests and promote stronger compliance from foreign governments regarding visa requirements for their citizens. The notice specifies that the goal is to encourage greater diligence in identity verification processes and to promote adherence to visa terms.
Visa Bond Requirement Overview
| Country | Bond Amount |
|---|---|
| Malawi | $15,000 |
| Zambia | $15,000 |
| Countries with High Overstay Rates | $5,000 – $15,000 (TBD) |
Concerns from the Travel Industry
The U.S. Travel Association expressed apprehension regarding the pilot program, which they estimate will impact approximately 2,000 visa applicants primarily from nations with minimal travel traffic to the U.S. Industry representatives believe the recently introduced $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” could also significantly increase the cost of doing business for international visitors.
“If implemented, these costs could position the U.S. as having the highest visitor visa fees globally,” a spokesperson asserted. “It is essential for U.S. visa policies to strike a balance between national security and the undeniable economic advantages offered by international tourism.”
Critics, including the Cato Institute’s Director of Immigration Studies, David Bier, have denounced the bond requirement as overly harsh. “While the exact implications remain unclear pending the announcement of impacted countries, this initiative could pose significant barriers for many potential travelers,” he stated.
