Pay to stay? US may ask tourists for $15,000 bond – What it means? Should you be worried?

US President Donald Trump administration has unveiled a new 12-month pilot program that could require foreign visitors applying for B‑1/B‑2 tourist or business visas to post a bond of up to $15,000, in an effort to curb visa overstays and improve vetting standards.“Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) and who are nationals of countries identified by the Department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering Citizenship by Investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program,” the US department said in a Federal Register notice on Monday.“Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers,” the notice added.The Department said it will roll out the new 12-month visa bond pilot program, starting August 20 and it will remain in effect for one year from the date.

What Indian travelers should know

While the program hasn’t yet named target countries, India’s existing history of visa violations, particularly in overstay and screening lapses, could raise the risk of being included.According to a public notice posted on the Federal Register’s website, the program will require certain applicants for B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visas, typically used for tourism or short-term business trips, to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.Eligible travelers include nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates, insufficient screening procedures, or offering “Citizenship by Investment” programs without residency requirements.The pilot program gives consular officers the discretion to determine bond amounts “sufficient enough to ensure the alien does not overstay,” while also factoring in the applicant’s individual circumstances.“The funds will be returned to travelers if they depart in accordance with the terms of their visas,” the notice stated, emphasising that the bond is fully refundable upon compliance.While the notice did not name the countries included, it clarified that the list of covered nations will be announced at least 15 days before the program takes effect and could be updated throughout its duration. These will include countries with “high visa overstay rates,” and “deficient screening and vetting information,” or those offering citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs where citizenship is granted without any residency requirements.The State Department said the pilot is not just about enforcement, but also intended as a “tool of diplomacy”, encouraging foreign governments to tighten their internal security systems. “The pilot program is further designed to serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to take all appropriate actions to ensure robust screening and vetting for all citizens in matters of identity verification and public safety… and to encourage specified countries with visa overstays to ensure their nationals timely depart the United States after making temporary visits,” it added.Quoting data from the Department of Homeland Security, the document noted that in fiscal year 2023, the US recorded over 500,000 suspected in-country overstays, individuals who remained beyond their authorized period of stay.This comes as tough immigration policies under Donald Trump continue to impact travel to the United States, with some international visitors opting to skip US trips altogether. Adding to traveler concerns, a new provision passed in July by the Republican-led US Congress introduces a $250 “visa integrity fee” for all approved non-immigrant visa applicants. It will take effect from October 1.

US visa bond pilot program: Key FAQs

1. Who it affects

2. How the process worksA. Visa application

B. Bond requirement

C. Paying the bond

3. Getting the visa: Once bond is posted and you’re approved:

4. Entry rules

5. Bond refund (cancellation): You’ll get your money back if,

6. What if you overstay