The United States will make its visa bond programme permanent, requiring some applicants from 50 countries to post bonds of up to US$20,000 when applying for business or tourism visas.
The US State Department said the measure applies to B1 and B2 non-immigrant visas and allows consular officers to require eligible applicants to provide a bond as a condition of visa approval.
According to a federal notice cited by Reuters, the programme follows a 2025 pilot initiative that assessed the feasibility of using visa bonds to encourage compliance among visa holders and reduce overstays.
Under the permanent programme, the bond amount will range from US$5,000 to US$20,000, replacing the pilot scheme’s maximum limit of US$15,000. The new rule is scheduled to take effect on Aug 3.
Most of the affected countries are in Africa, with 30 of the 50 countries listed under the programme located on the continent.
US officials said the policy is intended to reduce visa overstays. However, immigration advocates have criticised the measure, arguing that it could discourage legitimate travellers from visiting the country.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown, which has included stricter measures for both illegal and legal immigration channels.
