US visa bond pilot program proposed at $15,000 max
Share this @internewscast.com

It’s a move that may make the process unaffordable for many.

WASHINGTON — The State Department is suggesting a requirement for business and tourist visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, potentially making the process too costly for many.

According to a notice planned for publication in the Federal Register on Tuesday, a 12-month pilot program will be launched. Under this program, individuals from countries with high overstay rates and inadequate internal document security controls might need to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 when applying for a visa.

This proposal follows the Trump administration’s efforts to impose stricter requirements on visa applicants. Recently, the State Department announced that numerous visa renewal applicants must now undergo an additional in-person interview, which was not previously required. Furthermore, the department is suggesting that applicants for the Visa Diversity Lottery must possess valid passports from their nation of citizenship.

An advance copy of the bond notice, uploaded on the Federal Register website on Monday, indicated that the pilot program would be implemented within 15 days after its official publication. This program aims to assure that the U.S. government is not financially responsible if a visitor fails to comply with their visa conditions.

“Foreign nationals applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure, hailing from countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting details are deemed insufficient, or offering citizenship by investment without a residency requirement, may be included in the pilot program,” the notice stated.

The countries involved will be specified when the program is initiated, the notice mentioned. The bond requirement might be waived based on an applicant’s specific situation.

The bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program, which enables travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days. The majority of the 42 countries enrolled in the program are in Europe, with others in Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere.

Visa bonds have been proposed in the past but have not been implemented. The State Department has traditionally discouraged the requirement because of the cumbersome process of posting and discharging a bond and because of a possible misperceptions by the public.

However, the department said that previous view “is not supported by any recent examples or evidence, as visa bonds have not generally been required in any recent period.”

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.     

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
UVU Professor’s CIA Ties Vanish After Kirk Event

CIA Connections of UVU Professor Disappear Post-Kirk Event

A social media investigation has surfaced claims that a Utah Valley University…
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy students to travel from Lakeview, Chicago to Vatican City for audience with Pope Leo XIV

Students from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Academy in Lakeview, Chicago to Visit Vatican City for a Meeting with Pope Leo XIV

CHICAGO (WLS) — On Wednesday, a group of traveling students from Our…
Inside Dallas ICE facility in aftermath of sniper attack that killed two detainees

A Look Into Dallas ICE Facility Following Deadly Sniper Attack on Detainees

Exclusive footage obtained by Brooke Taylor reveals the aftermath of a deadly…
Broadview ICE facility protest: Neurodivergent man Paul Ivery released from custody pending trial after arrest at detention center

Neurodivergent Activist Paul Ivery Released After Arrest at Broadview ICE Facility Protest

CHICAGO (WLS) — Another individual among the group of five facing charges…

Jacksonville Mother Pursues Justice Following Daughter’s Tragic Hit-and-Run Death

Shardae Webber demands justice after a vehicle struck and killed her 13-year-old…
Teen charged with murder after allegedly killing two girls in deadly hit-and-run crash: prosecutor

Teen Accused of Murder After Fatal Hit-and-Run Kills Two Girls, According to Prosecutor

Two teen girls were killed in a hit-and-run incident in New Jersey…
Son accused of brutally beating his mother to death with gardening tool over inheritance: police

Man Allegedly Kills Mother in Violent Attack Using Garden Tool in Dispute Over Inheritance: Authorities

A Missouri man is behind bars after authorities say he allegedly beat…
North Carolina bar patron’s video may have foiled gunman night before deadly waterfront massacre: report

Video from a North Carolina bar patron might have stopped a gunman the night before a deadly waterfront shooting: report

A gunman accused of carrying out an ambush at a North Carolina…
New: FBI Director Patel Lops Off Comey-Era Ties With ADL

Breaking: FBI Director Patel Cuts Connections with ADL from Comey’s Time

FBI Director Kash Patel has been making significant changes at the troubled…
Illegal immigrant tied to 17 rapes and deported 8 times, faces reinstated charges

Individual Deported Eight Times Faces Renewed Charges Linked to Multiple Assault Cases

An undocumented immigrant suspected of serial rape and linked to up to…
BMW recalls over 145,000 vehicles for fire risk

BMW Issues Recall for Over 145,000 Vehicles Due to Fire Hazard

BMW is recalling more than 145,000 vehicles due to starter motor overheating…
New York City high-rise apartment building suffers partial collapse

Partial Collapse Hits New York City High-Rise Apartment Building

A portion of a New York City high-rise apartment building collapsed Wednesday…