The U.S. State Department is preparing to launch a pilot program that may require certain foreign nationals applying for business or tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000.
According to a notice previewed on the Federal Register website, the “visa bond pilot program” will run for 12 months and could require applicants to pay guarantee bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
The program will go into effect 15 days after the notice is officially published.
Bonds may be imposed on travelers from countries identified by the State Department as having high rates of visa overstays or inadequate screening and vetting processes.
While the notice did not specify the affected countries, it stated that the list will be made public at least 15 days before the policy takes effect.
This move comes as part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten U.S. visa regulations.
Just last week, the State Department introduced a new rule requiring many visa renewal applicants to undergo additional in-person interviews.
