US State Department Launches Visa Bond Pilot Targeting High‑Risk Overstays

The US State Department has launched a 12-month visa bond pilot program requiring select foreign travelers to post refundable bonds of up to $15,000 before receiving a tourist or business visa. The initiative officially goes into effect on August 20, 2025, following a notice published in the Federal Register on August 5.

Under the program, B‑1 (business) and B‑2 (tourism) visa applicants from countries identified as having high visa overstay rates or lax screening standards may be subject to bond requirements of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on individual circumstances. Visas issued under this program will be single-entry, valid for 30 days, and eligible for refund if the traveler complies with US immigration rules.

According to the State Department, the pilot is expected to affect approximately 2,000 travelers and could collect up to $20 million in bonds annually. Countries under the US Visa Waiver Program—including EU member states, the UK, Australia, Israel, and several Gulf nations—are exempt.

Consular officers will determine bond amounts on a case-by-case basis, guided by a standard of $10,000 per adult and $5,000 per child. Refunds will be issued after the traveler leaves the US on time or successfully extends or adjusts their visa status. Bonds may be forfeited if the traveler overstays or violates visa terms.

The move revives a policy that was first introduced in 2020 under the Trump administration but was never enforced. Its reintroduction aligns with the administration’s broader immigration enforcement efforts, including expanded travel bans targeting certain African and Middle Eastern countries.

The program could hinder tourism and business travel from developing countries, placing an undue financial burden on applicants.

The list of affected countries will be published on travel.state.gov at least 15 days before the program takes effect and may be updated periodically throughout the year. The pilot is scheduled to run until August 5, 2026.

In late July, Argentina announced it was in talks to rejoin the US Visa Waiver Program. Argentine citizens could travel to the US without a visa for up to 90 days if approved.

Cover photo Tim Mossholder on Unsplash