U.S. Visa Bond Program Targets Overstayers
The U.S. is introducing a pilot program requiring bonds up to $15,000 for some visas to curb overstays. The initiative targets applicants from countries with high overstay rates or inadequate vetting information. This follows Trump's immigration focus, affecting travel trends and visa issuance policies.
The United States is set to roll out a pilot program requiring bonds of up to $15,000 for certain business and tourist visas in an attempt to combat visa overstays. The program, launching in two weeks, will grant U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose bonds on applicants from countries known for high overstay rates and inadequate screening procedures, according to a newly released government notice.
Estimations of the number of affected applicants were not provided by the State Department. However, the program aligns with former President Donald Trump's immigration policies, which focused heavily on deterring illegal immigration. Trump's efforts included imposing travel bans on individuals from various countries for national security reasons and implementing rigorous border security measures.
The visa bond program, effective from August 20, will last about a year and allow bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, though typically at least $10,000 is expected. This mirrors an earlier but incomplete initiative from Trump's presidency impacted by decreased global travel during the pandemic. High overstay rates are prevalent in countries like Chad, Eritrea, and Myanmar, as indicated by recent U.S. customs data.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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