U.S. to Test $15,000 Bond for Certain Nationalities Seeking Visas

The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has unveiled a new anti-immigration measure that could significantly alter entry conditions for nationals of certain countries. Starting in mid-August 2025, a one-year pilot program will require applicants of certain tourist (B-2) and business (B-1) visas to post a financial bond of up to $15,000.

Purpose of the Financial Bond

The primary goal of this measure is to tackle visa overstays, with U.S. authorities estimating that roughly 500,000 people exceeded their permitted stay in the country during fiscal year 2023.

According to the U.S. Department of State, the bond serves multiple objectives:

• Ensuring foreign nationals comply with visa terms and depart the U.S. within the stipulated period.

• Assessing the operational feasibility of processing, refunding, and managing financial bonds.

• Acting as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to strengthen identity verification and public safety controls for their citizens.

• Shielding the U.S. government from financial liability if visa conditions are breached.

Who Does This Measure Affect?

The program targets nationals of countries identified by the Department of State as having high rates of visa overstays. It may also apply to individuals with insufficient verification data or those who have obtained citizenship through investment programs without residency requirements.

While the official list of affected countries remains unpublished, with details to be posted on Travel.State.Gov at least 15 days before implementation, reports suggest that several African countries are in focus.

https://twitter.com/Reuters/status/1953442252568629533

Countries such as Burundi, Djibouti, Togo, Angola, Liberia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cape Verde, and Burkina Faso have been flagged for high overstay rates. Malawi and Zambia are also reported as potential candidates.

Note: Nationals of the 40+ countries under the Visa Waiver Program—mainly European nations plus Qatar—who enter for stays up to 90 days under an ESTA are exempt from this bond requirement.

How the Bond Works

U.S. consular officers will have discretion to impose bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, though amounts of at least $10,000 are expected in most cases. The amount will be refunded upon visa expiration once the traveler has left the U.S. Refunds are also applicable in cases of naturalization or death.

A Context of Stricter Immigration Policies

This measure is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to tighten visa issuance and curtail illegal immigration. A similar pilot launched in late 2020 was not fully implemented due to the collapse in international travel during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Recent actions include:

• Raising visa fees to $250 for most countries via a new “visa integrity fee” taking effect October 1.

• Introducing stricter renewal criteria, including mandatory in-person interviews.

• Imposing a full visa suspension for Burundi nationals, citing “repeated violations” of stay limits.

These policies have raised concerns about access for athletes—particularly from Africa—traveling to the U.S. for major sporting events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.