Trump administration to demand US$5,000–15,000 bonds from high-risk visa applicants

Washington, D.C.- The Trump administration will revive a contentious visa-bond requirement on August 20, demanding deposits of US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000 from travelers of certain countries seeking B-1/B-2 business or tourist visas. Targeted at nationals from states deemed to have high overstay rates and weak internal document security, the policy will run as a one-year pilot under the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) latest Federal Register notice.

DHS asserts that the bond will protect U.S. taxpayers from the costs of enforcing removal when visitors flout their visa terms. Under the pilot, applicants from designated countries—those offering citizenship by investment or with historically high overstay percentages—must post the bond, which will be refunded upon departure, naturalization or death. However, anyone who overstays risks forfeiture to cover deportation expenses.

This move echoes a November 2020 rule that never fully took effect because of the steep decline in international travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, it applied to roughly two dozen countries, mostly in Africa, where overstay rates topped 10 percent. State Department officials have long argued that the bond process is cumbersome for consular staff and visa applicants alike.

Travelers from Visa Waiver Program nations remain exempt, and consular officers may waive the bond requirement at their discretion. The pilot adds to a growing slate of new fees, including a US$250 “integrity surcharge” set to hit non-immigrant visa applicants in 2026, nearly doubling the cost for some tourist, student or work visas.

Critics warn that without clear criteria and a published list of affected countries, due just 15 days before launch, the policy risks arbitrary enforcement and diplomatic fallout. DHS has hinted that Angola, Liberia, Nigeria and Afghanistan could reappear on the roster, but travel industry groups and human-rights advocates say imposing hefty upfront bonds will deter legitimate visitors and strain visa-processing operations.