News Desk | August 7, 2025
The U.S. Department of State has announced a new pilot program set to launch on August 20, 2025, requiring certain foreign nationals to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000 before being granted a visa. The goal of the program is to ensure that visitors leave the United States before their visa expires.
According to the Federal Register notice published earlier this week, the pilot will initially apply to travelers from Malawi and Zambia, two countries with historically high overstay rates. As per 2023 data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, approximately 14% of Malawian and 11% of Zambian visitors overstayed their visas.
The bond will be refunded in full if travelers depart the U.S. within the permitted time frame and comply with all visa conditions. However, any violation — such as overstaying, applying for asylum without valid grounds, or misusing the visa — will result in forfeiture of the bond.
In an official statement signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the program is described as a step to “enhance border security and safeguard public interest by holding foreign visitors accountable for returning on time.”
The rule will apply to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visa categories. Countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program — including most European nations, Australia, Taiwan, Qatar, and Israel — will be exempt.
For families, the bond could range between $10,000 to $15,000 per adult, and $5,000 per child, potentially increasing the financial burden for international travel to the U.S.
The State Department estimates that during the 12-month pilot period, up to 2,000 applicants may participate, with projected initial collections totaling $20 million.
While the scope of the policy is currently limited, Eric Hansen, head of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association, expressed concerns over its broader implications. “If President Trump’s recently signed $250 non-immigrant visa fee also takes effect, the U.S. could become one of the most expensive visa destinations globally,” he warned. “Security is important, but so is economic competitiveness. Our visa policies must strike the right balance.”
Originally proposed in 2020, the program was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is now formally set to launch in August 2025.
