Breaking: US State Department Officially Launches $15,000 Visa Bond Pilot Program

The U.S. State Department today officially initiated a new pilot program that could require some international tourists and business travelers to post bonds as high as $15,000 to enter the United States. The federal registry notice detailing the controversial visa bond program was published on August 5th, marking its official rollout.

Under the 12-month pilot, these substantial bonds will be levied on visitors from countries identified with consistently high rates of visa overstays. The program’s stated goal is to assess the operational feasibility of managing these bonds, in coordination with the Departments of Treasury and Homeland Security, and to ensure non-immigrants comply with their visa terms and depart the U.S. on time. The specific list of affected countries is expected to be announced on Travel.State.Gov no less than 15 days before the bonds take effect, with provisions for future adjustments.

This initiative revives a similar proposal from the first Trump administration in November 2020, which was ultimately never implemented. Travelers subject to the bond would reportedly receive their funds back upon their departure from the U.S., naturalization, or death, according to Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations.

A State Department spokesperson indicated that country selection would be based on factors including high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, concerns over citizenship acquisition by investment without a residency requirement, and broader foreign policy considerations. While the department did not provide an estimate of affected applicants, the U.S. Travel Association, a major tourism industry group, suggests the scope appears limited, potentially impacting around 2,000 applicants, likely from countries with lower travel volumes to the U.S.

The launch of this program comes amidst a reported sharp decline in U.S. tourism, with the industry facing significant losses. Concerns have also been raised by increasing reports of valid visa holders being detained upon arrival, escalating anxieties for international travelers.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.