Starting August 20, 2025, the U.S. government will launch a 12-month pilot program requiring certain foreign nationals to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) nonimmigrant visas. The initiative aims to reduce visa overstays and encourage better screening practices by foreign governments.
Key Details of the Visa Bond Program
| Feature | Details |
| Program Duration | August 20, 2025 – August 5, 2026 |
| Visa Types | B-1 (Business), B-2 (Tourism) |
| Bond Amounts | $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 |
| Eligible Applicants | The bond is refunded if the traveler departs on time and abides by visa rules |
| Refund Policy | Bond is refunded if the traveler departs on time and abides by visa rules |
| Entry Points for Bonded Travelers | Boston Logan, JFK (New York), Washington Dulles |
| Waiver Availability | None during the pilot program |
Countries Initially Affected
Not all countries will be affected by these new regulations, and this is why the State Department has identified Malawi and Zambia as the first two countries impacted. This list can be updated during the pilot and will be published on travel.state.gov.
Other countries with high visa overstay rates, based on 2023 DHS data, include:
- Chad
- Laos
- Haiti
- Djibouti
- Burundi
- Togo
- Eritrea
- Myanmar
- Yemen
Purpose Behind the Program
This move is part of broader efforts by the U.S. government, especially under the Trump administration, to:
- Reduce visa overstays
- Strengthen immigration enforcement
- Pressure foreign governments to improve traveler vetting and documentation
Furthermore, a State Department spokesperson stated the pilot is “a tool of diplomacy” meant to encourage countries to reduce overstay rates and improve their internal vetting systems.
Additional Fees and Legislative Changes
In addition to visa bonds, a new $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” will be implemented on October 1, 2025. This fee applies to all approved nonimmigrant visa holders and may be refundable if the traveler complies with visa terms.
However, the U.S. Travel Association has raised concerns, noting that these fees could deter tourism and business travel. They estimate the pilot could affect roughly 2,000 applicants, primarily from countries with relatively low travel volume to the U.S.
Travel Trends & Political Context
This pilot program revives a similar 2020 initiative that was never fully implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key background:
- The Trump administration has aggressively pursued immigration reform and border control.
- A travel ban issued in June restricts entry from 19 nations.
- Data shows travel from Canada and Mexico to the U.S. dropped by 20% year-over-year, with airfare prices reaching pre-pandemic lows.
How Bonds Are Determined
The decision to impose a bond—and the amount—is at the discretion of U.S. consular officers. Factors considered include:
- Purpose of travel
- Employment status
- Income
- Education
- Other details from the visa interview
What Happens If You Overstay
If a visa holder:
- Follows the rules → Bond is fully refunded
- Violates conditions (e.g., overstays visa) → Bond is forfeited
The new visa bond pilot program marks a significant shift in how the U.S. manages high-risk visa applicants. While the scope is currently limited, it could expand depending on results and future policy decisions. Travelers from affected countries should be aware of new requirements and plan accordingly.