Following a new Department of State (DoS) decision, US adds visa bond requirement as part of a pilot program, with bonds of $5,000 to $15,000 for certain applicants.
The measure is a new effort by President Trump’s administration to curb illegal immigration. If the new provision affects your travel or visa application, our immigration attorneys in New Jersey are ready to assist you.
What is the new US pilot program imposing visa bonds about?
Some highlights of this pilot program include:
- Certain applicants for B-2 temporary tourist visas and B-1 business visas are required to post a bond of between $5,000 and $15,000.
- The measure only applies to visitors from countries with high rates of overstays or deficiencies in their screening processes.
- The goal is to ensure that visa beneficiaries leave the country before the authorized period expires.
- If the traveler meets the visa conditions, the deposit will be returned, otherwise, the deposited amount will be lost.
- The program has an initial duration of 12 months and will be implemented at specific airports that will be announced on the Federal Register website.
What impact will this program have on visa applicants?
The pilot program not only entails new administrative requirements, but also additional costs and conditions that can directly impact travelers’ planning and budgets.
Additional costs
In addition to the usual consular fees, the pilot program requires a disbursement of $5,000 to $15,000 per traveler .
Although the fee is refundable if visa conditions are met, it represents a significant financial barrier for many applicants.
Risks
The deposit is forfeited if the traveler overstays the authorized period of stay, adjusts their status without leaving the country, or does not use the designated port of entry/exit.
Which countries will be affected?
The official list of countries included in the pilot program has not yet been released. The State Department noted that the selection will be based on data on:
- Long stays, and
- The quality of each nation’s verification processes.
However, Malawi and Zambia are among the first nations to be included in the measure.
Although they are not among the countries with the highest rates of visa overstays, the DoS argued that their citizens have exceeded their authorized stays at high rates.
A visa denial isn’t always the end of the road. In our blog “What if my visa application is denied” we explain the most common reasons and the options you might consider for reapplying.
Does the new bond apply to all visas?
Not at this time. The pilot program is limited to tourist and business visas for applicants from countries with high rates of long-stay in the US.
This means that other types of American visas, such as student or temporary work visas, are not included.
It’s worth noting that this bond is part of a broader trend of increased and new immigration requirements implemented this year, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill, which established significant increases in various immigration procedures and processes.
How to avoid having to pay bail?
The only way to avoid this requirement is to not be part of the group of applicants included in the pilot program. This involves:
- Be a citizen of a country that is not on the list of affected countries, or
- Apply for a visa type not included in the program.
Since the country selection will be determined by the DoS, it is important to consult with our immigration attorney before initiating the process to confirm whether your case is subject to bond.
If you overstayed your tourist visa in the United States, we invite you to read our blog, “How long can we stay in the US with a tourist visa” which explains the consequences and reliefs available.
How can Curbelo Law help you with the new visa bond requirement in the US?
As we saw, this pilot program represents a significant change in regulations for B-1 and B-2 visa applicants from certain countries.
Although its application will be temporary, economic and operational demands may directly affect your travel plans.
At Curbelo Law, we are prepared to evaluate your immigration requirements, design legal strategies, and protect your interests in light of this new requirement. Contact us today for a consultation and receive guidance before starting your process.
