The United States plans to launch a pilot visa policy requiring applicants from certain countries to pay a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 when applying for work or tourist visas.
The 12-month program, announced by the US Department of State, targets nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates or weak internal document controls. It aims to ensure compliance with visa conditions and reduce the financial burden on the US government in case of violations.
Set to take effect 15 days after its publication in the Federal Register, the program applies to temporary business and tourism visa seekers. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries are exempt, and other exemptions may apply depending on individual circumstances.
Although the visa bond concept has been proposed in the past, it was not implemented due to concerns over refund logistics and public confusion.
The Department now argues there's no recent evidence to oppose the policy and sees it as a practical enforcement measure.
A list of affected countries will be released once the program begins. The move reflects broader efforts to strengthen US immigration oversight.
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