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US makes visa bond programme permanent, raises limit to $20,000

ByJustpaste.in

The United States has announced that its visa bond programme will become permanent, introducing stricter financial requirements for certain foreign travellers seeking business and tourist visas.

Under the new policy, US consular officers will have the authority to require applicants from 50 countries to post a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before a visa is issued. The programme applies to B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas and is aimed at reducing the number of visitors who overstay their visas.

According to a notice published in the Federal Register, the decision follows the completion of a pilot programme launched in 2025. Officials said the trial demonstrated that visa bonds could be an effective tool for improving compliance with US immigration rules. The new regulation will officially take effect on August 3.

During the pilot phase, applicants could be asked to pay bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The updated rule removes the $5,000 option and increases the maximum bond amount to $20,000, giving consular officers greater discretion when assessing visa applications.

The programme covers citizens of 50 countries, with 30 of those nations located in Africa. US authorities say the selection is based on factors such as visa overstay rates and immigration compliance.

The move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration agenda, which focuses on tightening border controls and strengthening enforcement of immigration laws. The administration argues that stricter visa policies are necessary to protect national security and discourage individuals from remaining in the United States beyond the period allowed by their visas.

However, immigration advocates and civil rights organisations have criticised the decision, saying the higher financial burden could discourage legitimate travellers, including tourists and business visitors, from applying for US visas. They also argue that recent immigration measures have made legal entry into the United States increasingly difficult through higher fees, expanded social media screening, and stricter visa requirements.

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