Under the policy, US consular officers may require applicants for B1/B2 business and tourist visas to post a refundable bond of up to 20,000 USD as a condition for visa issuance. The exact amount will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Compared with the pilot program, the maximum bond has increased from 15,000 USD to 20,000 USD, while the minimum 5,000-USD option has been eliminated. The measure applies to citizens of 50 countries, including around 30 in Africa.
The administration of President Donald Trump says the policy is intended to strengthen immigration enforcement and reduce visa overstays. However, immigrant rights groups argue that it will significantly increase travel costs, discourage legitimate travel and make it more difficult for affected nationals to visit the US.
The visa bond requirement is part of a broader tightening of US immigration policy, which also includes higher fees for some visa categories and expanded reviews of applicants' social media activity before entry decisions are made.
