CBSE 10th Compartment Result 2025 OUT
Focus
Quick Links

What is the $15,000 U.S. Visa Bond Program? The New Rule Explained

The U.S. State Department has proposed plans to impose a new Visa Rule which would require a $15,000 bond for tourist and business travelers. On 5th August, the new federal registry notice of the visa bond pilot program was published and within two weeks, the pilot program will commence. It is particularly from two dozen countries with 10% or higher overstay rates, mostly in Africa. According to the 12-month pilot program, the bonds will be issued to visitors from countries with overstay rates.

ByManvi Upadhyaya
Aug 5, 2025, 03:29 EDT

You must have heard about the new Visa rule according to which tourism and business will be impacted. To begin with, it is a 12 month pilot program where some visitors applying for business (B-1) or tourist (B-2) visas might have to pay a bond. The bond is essentially a security deposit that can be as high as $15,000. The specific amount will be either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, and this will be decided by a U.S. consular officer during the visa application process. 

The money will be fully refunded if the visitor leaves the U.S. on time. However, if they overstay their visa, the government will keep the bond. The program’s main goal is to reduce the number of people who overstay their visas.

Check Out: Why the August Full Moon is So Significant in the U.S.? Check Where to Spot the Sturgeon Moon 2025

Who Does the Rule Affect?

You must know that this new Visa rule is not for everyone. Therefore, it will apply only to applicants from a specific list of countries that are considered high-risk for visa overstays. Moreover, the State Department will announce the list of these countries on its official website, Travel.State.Gov, at least 15 days before the program starts. The rule will also apply to countries where vetting information is considered insufficient or those that sell citizenship without a residency requirement.

Therefore, it is important to know that this rule does not affect citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program, which includes most of Europe and other allied nations. It is a targeted program for a small number of visitors.

When Does the Program Start?

The new visa bond program is scheduled to start on August 20, 2025. The official notice was published in the Federal Register on August 5, and the program will take effect 15 days later. It will run for one year, and the State Department will use this time to see if the bond system is effective at reducing overstays and how practical it is to manage.

What is the Impact?

This new initiative is part of a larger effort to tighten U.S. immigration policies. Moreover, supporters also believe that it is an essential step to ensure visitors follow the rules and leave the country on time. However, the travel industry has expressed concerns that a $15,000 bond could be a major financial barrier, especially for families. In some cases, it could also discourage international travel to the U.S.

Further, these new U.S. government policies are causing a big drop in the number of international visitors from overseas. There was a drop between 11%-20% from neighboring countries, as per Reuters. In addition to this, there is a proposed $250 "visa integrity fee" that would make it more expensive to visit. 

Check Out: US Green Card Process Gets Strict for Married Couples: New Immigration Rules Explained

There are also growing concerns and stories about tourists with valid visas being detained by immigration officials (ICE). However, the program's outcome is still to be determined, but it's a significant change for international travelers and a clear sign of the U.S. government's focus on immigration enforcement. The success of the program will be measured not only by its effectiveness in reducing overstays but also by its impact on international travel and tourism.

Manvi Upadhyaya
Manvi Upadhyaya

Content Writer

    Manvi Upadhyaya is an experienced content writer who is passionate about creating authentic content by delivering credible facts to people. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and is fond of art, languages, culture, and education. She has been a published co-author and compiler for many anthology book projects. She creates educational and informative content for international audiences. You can reach out to her at manvi.upadhyaya@jagrannewmedia.com

    ... Read More

    FAQs

    • What is a B-1/B-2 visa, and does this rule apply to me? 
      +
      A B-1 visa is for temporary business travel, and a B-2 visa is for tourism and pleasure. This new rule specifically targets applicants for these two types of visas. If you are a citizen of a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program (which includes most of Europe), this new bond rule does not apply to you.
    • How do I get my bond money back? 
      +
      The visa bond is essentially a security deposit. If you have to pay a bond and you leave the U.S. on time, in accordance with the terms of your visa, the full amount will be refunded. The government will keep the bond only if you overstay the time allowed on your visa.
    • Which countries are affected by the new visa bond rule? 
      +
      The U.S. government has not yet released the official list of countries. However, the rule will apply to visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates, insufficient screening, or those that sell citizenship without a residency requirement. 

    Latest Stories

    Trending Tags