US Introduces Up to $15,000 Bond Requirement for Tourist and Business Visas from August 20

The United States will launch a pilot programme on August 20, 2025, requiring certain B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants to pay bonds of up to $15,000 (₹13 Lakh), as per news reports. This initiative aims to discourage visitors from overstaying their visas and strengthen immigration enforcement.

Bond Structure and Countries Likely To be Impacted

Consular officers can impose bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 per person, with $10,000 as the typical amount. The programme targets visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates where US screening and vetting are considered insufficient.

Although an official list has not been released, the notice indicated that countries with significant visa overstay issues, especially in Africa and Asia, are currently being examined. Nations previously affected by Trump’s travel ban, such as Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, and Yemen, are expected to be among those under consideration.

Implementation Timeline and Authority

The one-year pilot programme begins August 20, 2025, under Executive Order 14159 involving the Treasury, State, and Homeland Security Departments. From October 1, 2025, an additional $250 "visa integrity fee" will be charged to all non-immigrant visa applicants after approval, further raising costs.

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Refund Mechanism and Compliance Incentive

The bond is fully refundable if travellers depart on time and comply with visa rules. This financial incentive aims to ensure visitors maintain legal status and leave before their authorised stay expires. In 2023, 12,882 Indian nationals on B-1/B-2 visas overstayed in the US, highlighting enforcement concerns.

Industry Impact and Cost Concerns

The U.S. Travel Association warns these changes could give America the highest visitor visa costs globally. However, the programme is expected to affect only approximately 2,000 applicants from a handful of countries with low travel volume, limiting broader tourism impact.

Conclusion

The US visa bond requirement of up to $15,000 for B-1/B-2 applicants from August 20, 2025, combined with $250 visa integrity fee from October 1, represents a significant policy shift targeting high overstay countries. While the refundable bond structure incentivises compliance, the increased costs may position America as having the world's highest visitor visa fees, though it affects a limited applicant pool from specific nations.

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