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In a dramatic twist for travellers, the United States is considering requiring business and tourist visa applicants to post bonds for up to $15,000. This pilot program could make it considerably harder for people to travel if the proposal gains approval.

 

This controversial plan, set to be detailed in the Federal Register this Tuesday, targets applicants from countries identified as having high visa overstay rates and weak document security. Such individuals may need to post bonds of either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 under certain conditions during their visa application process.

 

Driving the initiative is the push by the Trump administration to tighten visa regulations. Just last week, it was announced that numerous visa renewal applicants must now undergo an additional in-person interview. Moreover, the State Department is proposing that applicants to the Diversity Visa Lottery Program possess valid passports from their citizenship countries, adding another layer of complexity.

 

According to the Federal Register's website, the pilot program could be activated as early as 15 days after its formal announcement. The bond initiative aims to ensure exemption from financial liability should visitors breach visa conditions, reported by AP.

 

The program specifies that temporary visitors for business or pleasure from flagged countries might be impacted, especially if their countries exhibit deficient screening, investment-backed citizenship without a residency prerequisite, or high overstay rates.

 

The specific countries affected by these significant changes remain undisclosed. Notably, those travelling under the visa waiver program, which covers many European, Asian, and Middle Eastern nations, will remain unaffected by these requirements.

 

Visa bonds have floated within conversations in past policy discussions, yet they've never been rolled out, mainly due to the logistics of handling such bonds and potential public misunderstandings.

 

Historically, these challenges have led the State Department to steer away from bonds.

 

However, this recent move indicates a shift, with the department noting that the previous stance lacked recent practical evidence, as visa bonds haven't been customary for years.

 

TThis proposed policy introduces a significant financial complication to the visa application process, making it more difficult for many to pursue their international travel aspirations. As the details unfold, the world watches to see which nations will find themselves under this new requirement and how they'll respond.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from AP 2025-08-05

 

4 minutes ago, webfact said:

This controversial plan, set to be detailed in the Federal Register this Tuesday, targets applicants from countries identified as having high visa overstay rates and weak document security. Such individuals may need to post bonds of either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 under certain conditions during their visa application process.

Controversial?

 

I’d post a $5,000 - $15,000 bond in order to guarantee  that my girlfriends tourist visa would be approved.

Same Thailand is doing but means everyone who wants to settle down there.Sick requirements.

555 Thailand 300 baht charge I read tons of objections from the farangs on AN....But $15000 bond no comment...555 again.

Nothing new. I have to keep THB 800,000 in the bank in order to live here. Plus report every ninety days, and supply an ever increasing amount of documents every year  to renew. 

Regarding the "high risk nations", a kind of rule Thailand, too, better consider?

 

That way, they will can certainly  invite their long-sought Quality Tourists.

Should have no impact on tourists coming for world cup and olympics.... NOT

1 hour ago, chuang said:

555 Thailand 300 baht charge I read tons of objections from the farangs on AN....But $15000 bond no comment...555 again.

 

A bond is quite different to a charge no?  I've heard countless stories of Thais rocking up to an airport with flights already paid for with an approved visa only for the Thai immigration officials to deny them travel for spurious reasons.   Perhaps a bond system will alleviate that problem.   

 

I could care less about a 300 charge unless it adds excessive delays to getting through immigration, and I would especially not have any concerns about a bond if it guaranteed entry to the country, not that it affects western countries at the moment.   That will change no doubt when European countries attain the 3rd world status they seem to be aiming for by importing the 3rd world.   

20 hours ago, Airalee said:

Controversial?

 

I’d post a $5,000 - $15,000 bond in order to guarantee  that my girlfriends tourist visa would be approved.

Well, if you've got the money ... good for you. Personally I have had no trouble securing US Visas for a previous GF and in 2023 ten year Visas for my wife and Stepdaughter. Individual experiences do vary ...

1 hour ago, phetphet said:

Nothing new. I have to keep THB 800,000 in the bank in order to live here. Plus report every ninety days, and supply an ever increasing amount of documents every year  to renew. 

Ah, no, you chose to keep 800,000 baht in a Thai bank to meet requirements. Personally, I use the 65,000 baht monthly income method. Actually, be on the Married to a Thai national extension I only need 40,000 a month income but we spend 65K so ... I prefer to leave my retirement funds invested. They add 5K usd to my income each year (currently).

2 minutes ago, Wrwest said:

Well, if you've got the money ... good for you. Personally I have had no trouble securing US Visas for a previous GF and in 2023 ten year Visas for my wife and Stepdaughter. Individual experiences do vary ...

Good to hear that you were able to get visas for your previous GF and wife. My GF hasn’t tried yet but I was always under the impression (from online anecdotes) that it was next to impossible to get.   Fingers crossed.