Donald Trump's U.S. administration has announced a new anti-immigration measure that could significantly impact U.S. entry requirements for nationals of certain countries. As of mid-August 2025a one-year pilot project will require certain applicants for tourist (B-2) and business (B-1) visas to submit a financial security of up to $15,000.
What is the purpose of this guarantee?
The main aim of this measure is to combat overstaying (overstays) on American territory. The US government estimates that around 500,000 people overstayed their authorized length of stay in the United States in fiscal year 2023.
According to the State Department, this bond is intended to :
- Ensure that foreign nationals comply with the conditions of their visas and leave the U.S. on time.
- Assess the operational feasibility of depositing, processing and reimbursing bonds.
- Serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to tighten controls on the identity and public safety of their nationals.
- Protect the U.S. government from financial liability in the event of non-compliance with visa conditions.
Who is affected by this new measure?
The measure applies to nationals of countries identified by the State Department as having high overstay rates. It may also target those whose control and verification information is deemed insufficient, or those who have obtained citizenship by investment without a residency requirement.
Although the official list of countries concerned is not yet fully public and is due to be published on the Travel.State.Gov at least 15 days before the program takes effect, sources indicate that several African countries are particularly targeted.
Countries like Burundi, Djibouti, Togo, Angola, Liberia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cape Verde and Burkina Faso were reported to have high visa overstay rates. It is also reported that the Malawi and Zambia could be involved.
It should be noted that nationals of the forty or so countries benefiting from the Visa Waiver Program (mainly Europeans + Qataris) for stays of up to 90 days - and who require a ESTA - are exempt from this deposit.
How does the deposit work?
U.S. consular officials will have the discretion to impose deposits of 5,000 $, 10,000 $ or 15,000 $but will generally expect to demand at least 10,000 $. The amount will be refunded to travellers on the expiry date of their visa, once they have left the U.S. territory. Refunds are also provided in the event of naturalization or death.
A context of tightening migration policies
This measure is part of the continuity of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten visa requirements and combat illegal immigration. A similar pilot program was launched at the end of 2020, but was not fully implemented due to the collapse in international traffic caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Other recent measures include :
- A increase in visa prices to 250 dollars for most countries, via avisa integrity fee"which comes into effect on October 1.
- Stricter requirements for visa renewals, with additional face-to-face interviews.
- There complete suspension of visa issuance for Burundi nationals due to "repeated violations"of the length of stay.
These measures have raised concerns about the ability of athletes, particularly African athletes, to travel to the United States for major sporting events such as the World Cup. Soccer World Cup in 2026 and Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028.
| For most travelers, U.S. government data from 2023 show that 98.98 % of over 39 million passengers in the United States have left without overstaying their welcome. However, the new policy puts the spotlight on the minority who don't play by the rules. Nigerian authorities have already warned their citizens of severe penalties for non-compliance with visa requirements, including deportation and the impossibility of future travel. |
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