Citizens from 50 Countries Must Pay Up to $20,000 Bond for US Visa Applications

"Pay up or stay away!" The U.S. State Department has issued a final rule making a visa pilot program permanent, requiring citizens from 50 countries—primarily in Africa—to pay a bond when applying for U.S. visas. The new regulation officially took effect on Monday (the 3rd).

The U.S. Federal Register announced the news in a public notice on July 31. The rule applies to individuals applying for U.S. B1 or B2 visas for business or tourism purposes. Consular officers may require bond payments as a condition for issuing visas, ensuring applicants maintain non-immigrant status and depart the country as required.

The Associated Press reported on the 1st that under the pilot program, consular officers could request bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or up to $15,000. The new rule increases the maximum amount to $20,000 and eliminates the $5,000 minimum tier.

According to the regulation, fees will be refunded if the visa application is denied or if the holder strictly complies with the bond requirements after approval. However, if applicants violate the relevant rules, the entire bond will be forfeited.

Reuters reported on the 1st that the visa bond program applies to 50 countries globally, with 30 of them located in Africa. The Associated Press noted that the policy's scope may further expand.

The Washington Post stated that the visa bond initiative aims to combat visa overstay behavior and is part of broader efforts to curb illegal immigration. U.S. State Department officials praised the pilot program as a major success.

The Federal Register notice said that in 2024, nearly 45,500 visitors from the 50 countries covered by the program overstayed their visas. However, during the first 10 months of the pilot program’s operation, the number of overstays from these countries dropped sharply to fewer than 50 people.

The UK's International Business Times described the move as symbolizing a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy, imposing high costs on travelers or business visitors from specific nations.

Critics argue that the visa bond mechanism effectively functions as a "pay-to-travel tax," disproportionately affecting poorer travelers and undermining the principle of fair access.