US could require up to $15,000 bonds for tourist visas under pilot program

Washington, D.C. — August 4, 2025 – The U.S. State Department plans to launch a one-year visa bond pilot program starting August 20, 2025.

The initiative would require select applicants for B‑1 (business) and B‑2 (tourist) visas to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, based on risk assessments conducted by consular officers.

Who is affected?
The program targets applicants from countries with historically high visa‑overstay rates or weak vetting systems. Although the full list will be published closer to the start date, countries flagged in past reporting include Chad, Myanmar, Haiti, Yemen, Eritrea, Burundi, Djibouti, and others with similar overstay concerns. Citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries (e.g. UK, Japan, many in Europe) are exempt.

Bond amounts and criteria

• Typical bond: $10,000, but officers may set it at $5,000 for lower-risk cases or $15,000 for higher-risk applicants.
• Refunded in full—plus interest—if visa terms are honored and departure is timely. If overstayed, the bond is forfeited.

Program implementation and background

• Program begins August 20, 2025, running for approximately 12 months.
• Notice published in the Federal Register, with affected countries to be listed at least 15 days prior to commencement.
• Similar pilot was proposed in late 2020, but was never fully enacted due to the COVID‑19 disruptions.

Purpose & impact
The bonds are intended as a deterrent to visa overstays, helping offset costs associated with deportations and reinforce compliance. The policy also serves as a diplomatic signal to governments of targeted nations to tighten internal controls.

However, critics argue the measure could disproportionately burden families, small businesses, and legitimate travelers, making U.S. visits financially prohibitive for many. This policy change comes amid a broader renewed push by the Trump administration in its second term toward stricter immigration enforcement and border control measures.

Bottom line

Starting August 20, 2025, a new visa bond pilot may require eligible visa applicants from high‑risk countries to post up to $15,000. The refundable bond is designed to ensure timely departure, but raises concerns over accessibility and fairness, particularly for low‑income travelers.