The US State Department has proposed a controversial pilot program that would require visitors from certain countries to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 in order to enter the United States for business or tourism.
The measure, set to be detailed in the Federal Register on Tuesday, is part of the Trump administration’s wider push to tighten immigration and visa procedures.
Under the 12-month trial, the bond requirement would apply to nationals from countries deemed to have high rates of visa overstays, weak internal document security, or those offering citizenship by investment without residency requirements.
The bond, which could be set at $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, would act as a form of insurance for the US government in cases where visitors fail to depart before their visa expires.
The program is not expected to affect citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows short-term visits without a visa. Most of the 42 countries in the program are in Europe, alongside others in Asia and the Middle East.
A preview of the proposal notes that the bond could be waived based on individual circumstances, though no specific criteria have been detailed. The State Department said the pilot aims to “ensure that the US government is not financially liable if a visitor does not comply with the terms of his or her visa.”
The move follows other recent measures, including new in-person interview requirements for visa renewals and a proposed rule requiring valid passports for Diversity Visa Lottery applicants.
Critics have warned that imposing financial barriers on certain applicants could disproportionately affect travellers from developing countries and create a two-tier visa system. Although visa bonds have been proposed before, they have not been implemented, with previous administrations citing administrative complexity and concerns about public perception.
