Updated on: Aug 05, 2025 02:04 am IST
The State Department has suggested that business and tourist visa applicants post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the US.
The State Department is recommending that applicants for business and tourist visas post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, potentially making the process unaffordable for many.
The department announced Tuesday that it would begin a 12-month pilot program in which applicants for visas from nations with high overstay rates and inadequate internal document security controls may be asked to post $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 in bonds. The notice will be published in the Federal Register.
Two State Department sources familiar with the cable told Politico that although the cost might reach $15,000 per person, consular officers will likely demand a $10,000 bond for adults and a $5,000 bond for children.
While the Treasury Department will collect the bonds, travelers who leave the United States during the visa period and enter and exit at designated ports of entry will receive their money back, as per the report.
Moreover, impacted travelers will get 30 days from the date of visa issuance to enter the US.
