WASHINGTON, DC — IN a bid to crack down on visa overstays, the Trump administration has announced a new pilot programme requiring certain temporary visitors to pay a visa bond.
The 12-month initiative, spearheaded by the U.S. Department of State, aims to reduce the number of B-1/B-2 visa holders who remain in the country beyond the permitted time and to strengthen national security.
According to a document published in the Federal Register, the pilot will target visitors from countries with high overstay rates, weak screening practices, or those that offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) without residency requirements.
Under the programme, consular officers may require applicants from these countries to pay a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 as a condition for receiving a visa.
The measure is expected to take effect 15 days after its official publication on Tuesday (Aug. 5).
The programme follows Executive Order 14159, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” which calls for improved screening and vetting by foreign governments.
In addition to discouraging visa overstays, the pilot is designed to assess the feasibility of broader implementation. Officials say data collected during the programme will help evaluate the bond’s effectiveness in reducing overstays, verifying applicant identities, and identifying any unintended deterrent effects on legitimate travelers.
State Department officials reported that in the 2023 fiscal year, more than 500,000 nonimmigrant visitors failed to leave the country on time.
While the specific countries affected have not yet been named, the Department of State said it will use data from its 2023 report to determine which nations will be included.
If required, the bond must be paid within 30 days following a successful visa interview. The exact amount will be determined by the consular officer at the time of the interview.
