$15,000 Bond Targets High-Overstay Countries
The U.S. State Department announced a 12-month visa bond pilot program on August 5, 2025, requiring B-1/B-2 visa applicants from countries with high rates of overstay or weak vetting to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Effective August 20, 2025, the program aims to ensure compliance with visa terms and refund bonds upon timely departure.
The initiative, driven by Executive Order 14159, targets nations like Malawi and Zambia, with a list to be published 15 days before implementation. Exemptions include Visa Waiver Program countries, Canada, and Mexico. Consular officers may waive bonds based on individual circumstances, such as financial hardship or strong home-country ties.
The program responds to over 300,000 visa overstays in 2023, per DHS data, aiming to deter non-compliance without burdening the U.S. government. A 2020 pilot was abandoned due to COVID-19 travel declines. Critics, including the U.S. Travel Association, warn that the $15,000 bond could deter legitimate travelers, impacting the $200 billion tourism sector.
Additional Trump administration measures include in-person interviews for visa renewals and passport requirements for Diversity Lottery applicants. The bond program, processed via Pay.Gov, involves DHS and Treasury, with consular officers setting amounts based on risk factors like income and travel history.
The policy, affecting an estimated 2,000 applicants, may strain U.S. relations with targeted nations, particularly in Africa and Asia, where countries like Chad and Haiti face high overstay rates. The State Department views it as a diplomatic tool to push for better vetting abroad.