US to Pilot Visa Bond for Tourists to Limit Overstays

New York, August 5 (PTI): The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, is set to introduce a pilot program that may require foreign visitors arriving on tourist or business visas to pay a "bond" of up to $15,000 to ensure they leave the country before their visas expire.

The specific countries affected by this program have not yet been disclosed.

The U.S. State Department has issued a 'temporary final rule' for a 12-month visa bond pilot program.

This program, as announced by the State Department, will affect individuals applying for B-1/B-2 visas, potentially mandating them to post a bond not exceeding $15,000.

The measure is cited as a "key pillar" of the Trump administration’s foreign policy to mitigate national security risks associated with visa overstays and insufficient guest vetting processes.

A public notice from the department indicates that this pilot program targets temporary business or pleasure visitors from nations with notable visa overstay rates and deficient identity verification processes, including those countries with Citizenship by Investment schemes absent of residency mandates.

Consular officers may impose a bond of up to $15,000 on nonimmigrant visa applicants as a visa issuance condition.

This trial is anticipated to begin this month and will remain in effect until August 5, 2026.

The pilot initiative seems aligned with the Trump administration’s resolve to curb illegal immigration, a prominent issue during the President’s electoral campaign and tenure in office.

The public notice highlights the long-standing problem that countless nonimmigrant visitors do not exit the U.S. within the stipulated time, resulting in overstays.

The U.S. State Department plans to disclose the list of countries under this program no later than 15 days prior to its commencement, with revisions possible over time.

"Upon announcing the applicable countries, the Department will also provide a rationale for enforcing bonds consistent with this rule," the notice mentions.

The program is also envisioned as a diplomatic measure to urge foreign governments to enhance identity verification and public safety screening processes, as well as to motivate them toward taking steps that ensure their citizens adhere to U.S. immigration laws.

The program is purposefully structured as a diplomatic tool, prompting immediate action from foreign governments to curtail visa overstay rates.

An estimate from the Department of Homeland Security's FY 2023 Overstay Report warns of over 500,000 suspected in-country overstays classified as nonimmigrants who remained beyond their authorized timeframes through air or sea entry points.

This initiative serves to communicate an urgent need for countries to promote adherence to U.S. immigration guidelines among their citizens, noted the Department.

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