The United States federal government announced today on its official website that the Department of State will make the visa bond program a permanent measure, potentially requiring visa applicants from 50 countries to pay up to $20,000 (approximately NT$630,000) when applying for entry into the United States. According to Reuters, the announcement was published in the Federal Register and applies to B1 and B2 visas for business and tourism purposes. The notice states: 'Consular officers may require nonimmigrant visa applicants from applicable countries to submit a bond of up to $20,000, and whether this will be a condition for visa issuance is at the discretion of consular officers.' 'The 2025 Visa Bond Pilot Program provided the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of the Treasury with a framework to evaluate the feasibility of implementing a visa bond program. It has now provided sufficient data showing that the visa bond program is an effective tool in encouraging visa holders who have paid the bond to comply with regulations.' Under the pilot program, consular officers could require bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or up to $15,000. The final rule eliminates the $5,000 option and raises the maximum bond to $20,000. The bond will be refunded if the visa holder complies with visa and bond-related regulations. The final rule will take effect upon publication in the Federal Register on August 3. The program applies to citizens of 50 countries, including 30 African nations. US officials argue the policy aims to reduce visa overstays, while immigration advocates claim it will hinder legitimate travel to the US. Human rights activists argue that the Trump administration's aggressive immigration actions violate freedom of speech and due process, creating unsafe environments for minority groups and reinforcing racial stereotypes. Trump has defended these measures, calling them necessary for strengthening national security.
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- Source: PR Times
- Category: News