WASHINGTON: The United States has made its visa bond programme permanent, allowing consular officers to require applicants from 50 countries to provide financial guarantees of up to $20,000 before receiving certain US visas.
The new rule, announced through a Federal Register notice, applies to B1 and B2 visas issued for business and tourism purposes. US officials say the measure is aimed at reducing visa overstays and ensuring greater compliance with immigration requirements.
Under the policy, consular officers will have the authority to determine whether an applicant must submit a visa bond and set the amount up to the maximum limit of $20,000.
“The 2025 visa bond pilot, which provided a framework for the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of the Treasury to assess the feasibility of administering a visa bond program, has provided sufficient data to suggest that a visa bond program is an effective tool for enforcing compliance among bonded visa holders,” the notice said.
The permanent rule follows a 2025 pilot programme that allowed consular officers to require bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 from selected visa applicants.
Under the updated policy, the $5,000 option has been removed, while the maximum bond amount has been increased to $20,000.
The rule is scheduled to take effect on August 3 after its publication in the Federal Register.
The programme applies to citizens of 50 countries, with 30 of those countries located in Africa, according to the official notice.
US officials have defended the programme as a tool to address visa overstays and strengthen immigration enforcement.
However, immigration advocates have criticised the measure, saying high financial requirements could discourage legitimate travellers and create additional barriers for people seeking to visit the United States.
Rights groups have also expressed concerns over the broader immigration policies introduced under President Donald Trump, arguing that stricter measures could affect legal immigrants and contribute to concerns over discrimination.
The Trump administration has defended its immigration approach, saying the policies are necessary to enhance national security and improve enforcement.
The visa bond policy comes as the administration continues to introduce stricter immigration measures, including increased fees for certain visa categories and expanded social media screening requirements for visa applicants and some immigrants already in the country.
The implementation of the permanent visa bond programme is expected to reshape the application process for affected travellers while the US government continues efforts to strengthen immigration compliance.
