The US Department of Homeland Security’s Temporary Final Rule introduces the Visa Bond Pilot Program, which will begin on August 20, 2025.
#visas #visitor #visabond #2025
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new temporary final rule (TFR) as part of a 12-month long Visa Bond Pilot Program.
The 12-month initiative is aimed at assessing the operational feasibility of requiring certain nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a refundable financial bond to enter the US. This measure is intended to deter visa overstays and serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to improve their screening and vetting procedures. The new program will change the process for those seeking to visit the U.S. on a visitor visa and have additional impacts on tourism and travel to the U.S. during a time when travel to the country is at an all-time low.
HOW DO THESE VISA BONDS WORK?
Under this pilot, which will begin this Wednesday, August 20, 2025, consular officers can require B-1/B-2 visa applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates to post a bond when obtaining a visa.
HOW WILL THIS CHANGE THE PROCESS OF TRAVELING TO THE US ON A VISITOR VISA?
Visa Bond Fee
The primary change will of course be the implementation of the need to pay a visa bond fee when obtaining a visitor visa. The bond amounts can be $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the specific amount determined by a consular officer based on the individual’s circumstances.
Entry Restricted to Specific Airports
A key part of the program is that participants may be restricted to entering and exiting the U.S. through a specific list of airports that have automated systems to track departures. This is a measure designed to closely monitor compliance. The bond is returned to the traveler upon a timely departure, but is forfeited if they violate the terms of their visa, such as overstaying their authorized period. The data collected from this pilot will be used to inform future decisions on whether to expand the use of visa bonds.
Key Points of the New Visa Bond Program
- Pilot Program: The program is a 12-month temporary final rule (TFR) designed to test the operational feasibility of using visa bonds.
- Target Applicants: It applies to certain B-1/B-2 tourist and business visa applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates, or individuals from countries with deficient screening and vetting procedures, including those with “Citizenship by Investment” programs that lack a residency requirement.
- Bond Amounts: There are three possible bond amounts: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
- Purpose: The main goals are to discourage visa overstays and to serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to improve their identity verification and public safety screening measures.
- Logistics: The bond is deposited via the Treasury-hosted Pay.Gov website and is returned to the traveler after a compliant departure.
- Airport Restrictions: Some travelers under this program may be restricted to entering and exiting the U.S. through a specific list of airports that can automatically confirm their departure.
Additional Information
Temporary Final Rule: Visa Bond Pilot Program
Department of State 22 CFR Part 41 [Public Notice: 12783] RIN 1400-AG01
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/05/2025-14826/visas-visa-bond-pilot-program
Department of State Website: Countries Subject to Visa Bonds
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html
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