US to Launch $15,000 Visa Bond Pilot Program as Visa Crackdown Intensifies

Washington, Aug 2025 :The United States is set to introduce a new visa policy that could require foreign nationals applying for business or tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a guarantee of compliance with visa terms. This move is part of a 12-month “Visa Bond Pilot Program” announced by the US State Department, as per a notice previewed on the Federal Register website.

Under this program, consular officers will have the discretion to require applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates or deficient document vetting processes to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 when applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas. The pilot will officially commence 15 days after the notice’s formal publication.

Though the notice does not list the countries that will be affected, it mentions that the list will be made public at least 15 days before the program’s enforcement. Based on past data and policy precedents, nations such as Afghanistan, Angola, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Eritrea, Iran, Liberia, Libya, Sudan, and Yemen are expected to be included due to high overstay rates, security concerns, or lack of cooperation with US immigration enforcement.

A 2023 report by U.S. Customs and Border Protection revealed that countries like Angola, Liberia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Cabo Verde, and Burkina Faso consistently reported high rates of visa overstays, making them potential candidates for inclusion in the bond requirement list.

The bond is aimed at ensuring that the US government does not bear financial liability if visitors violate their visa terms. However, applicants from countries under the Visa Waiver Program, which includes 42 nations (mainly in Europe and select countries in Asia and the Middle East), will be exempt from this bond requirement.

Visa Crackdown Tightens Under Trump-Era Policies

This pilot program is the latest in a series of measures by the US administration to tighten visa requirements. Recently, the State Department mandated additional in-person interviews for many visa renewal applicants—a process previously waived for most.

Additionally, the State Department has instructed its diplomatic missions to scrutinize the social media profiles and online activity of all foreign applicants for student and exchange visitor visas. According to official guidance, consular officers will assess applicants’ social media presence for “indications of hostility towards US citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.”

Applicants who refuse to make their social media accounts public may face visa denial. This screening process will apply to both first-time and returning applicants, marking a significant shift in the vetting process for international students and visitors.

Furthermore, in response to pandemic-era suspensions, US diplomatic outposts have now resumed processing student visa applications, which had been halted since May 27.

Travel Bans and Stricter Controls

Earlier this year, the Trump administration announced a comprehensive travel ban targeting countries considered high-risk due to national security concerns and elevated visa overstay rates. Full travel bans were imposed on Afghanistan, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, citing inadequate screening procedures, terrorism links, or poor cooperation with US immigration enforcement.

Partial restrictions were placed on nations like Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. For these countries, limitations were imposed on both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including business, tourist, and student categories, due to persistent visa overstays and weak law enforcement collaboration.

Affordability Concerns and Policy Criticism

Critics argue that the proposed visa bond program could make visiting the US prohibitively expensive for many applicants, particularly from developing countries. While the bond may be waived based on individual circumstances, the policy has raised concerns about its potential impact on legitimate travelers and its administrative complexity.

Visa bonds have been proposed by various administrations in the past but were never implemented due to logistical challenges and fears of deterring international visitors. The State Department had previously refrained from enforcing bond requirements, citing the cumbersome process of posting and refunding bonds and concerns over public perception.

Nevertheless, the new proposal aligns with the broader strategy of tightening US immigration and visa policies under national security justifications. The State Department has also proposed requiring applicants for the Visa Diversity Lottery Program to possess valid passports from their country of citizenship, a move aimed at reducing fraud.

As the US moves forward with its $15,000 visa bond pilot, the policy is expected to face both domestic and international scrutiny, particularly from countries whose citizens might be disproportionately affected. The list of affected nations will be dynamic and updated with due notice as the program progresses.

Team Maverick.