The US is set to launch a pilot program that could require some tourists to pay a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the country.
According to a Federal Register report, the 12-month program targets visitors from countries with record-breaking visa overstay rates.
The move is part of the Trump administration’s push to tighten immigration laws, after imposing a travel ban on citizens from 12 countries in June and introducing a $250 “visa integrity” fee in July.
The pilot program will begin on August 20, 2025, and end on August 5, 2026.
So far, only two countries are listed in the pilot program, Malawi and Zambia, and it could change throughout the program’s implementation.
The list of countries was determined based on a report by the US Department of Homeland Security.
The U.S. Department of State expects about 2,000 people to post visa bonds during the pilot program, based on the number of eligible visa applicants and the uncertainty of whether they will be able to pay the bond.
The bond amount will be determined by consular officers according to specific guidelines, and will depend on the applicant's personal circumstances such as purpose of travel, employment, income level, and education.
