US Imposes New Visa Penalty to Curb Overstays

United States Government will begin enforcing a new visa bond policy that could require foreign visitors to pay as much as $15,000 to enter the country.

The policy, aimed at reducing visa overstays, will take effect on August 20 and run for approximately one year, according to a notice published in the Federal Register on Monday, August 4, 2025.

Under the pilot program, US consular officers will gain the authority to demand visa bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 from applicants seeking tourist (B-2) or business (B-1) visas.

Although officers can choose the amount, they are expected to generally impose a minimum of $10,000.

The government will refund the bond if the traveller departs the US within the limits of their visa terms.

This policy will apply to travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates, poor screening systems, or questionable citizenship-by-investment practices.

Moreover, the State Department noted that “foreign policy considerations” could also play a role in determining eligibility.

A spokesperson from the department confirmed that the list of targeted countries will rely on regularly reviewed data.

Nations already facing travel restrictions such as Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, and Yemen may fall under the program.

In addition, Burundi, Djibouti, and Togo all known for high overstay rates could also face inclusion.

This initiative revives a similar visa bond policy first introduced in November 2020, during the final months of President Donald Trump’s administration.

However, that earlier version faced delays and saw limited implementation because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting drop in global travel.

Throughout his presidency, Trump consistently pushed for stricter immigration enforcement.

His policies, including travel bans affecting 19 countries and tightened visa rules, led to a noticeable decline in inbound travel.

By May, transatlantic airfares returned to pre-pandemic levels, while travel from Canada and Mexico dropped by nearly 20% year-over-year.

Additionally, in July, Congress passed a law requiring a $250 “visa integrity fee” for all non-immigrant visa applicants starting October 1.

The government will offer refunds if visitors follow visa regulations and depart on time.

Meanwhile, the US Travel Association, which represents tourism and hospitality stakeholders, expressed concern about the policy.

The group estimates that around 2,000 visa applicants from low-volume travel countries will face these bond demands.

They also warned that the measure could discourage legitimate travelers and push the US to the top of the global visa fee scale.

Critics argue that the bond and related fees may harm diplomatic relations, especially with low-income and developing nations.

Furthermore, they believe the policy could restrict tourism at a time when many countries are working to revive their travel sectors.

Still, US officials insist the visa bond pilot is necessary. They claim it will enforce immigration compliance, enhance national security, and prevent foreign visitors from abusing the US visa system.

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