The US Federal Register announced on 4/8 a pilot program granting consular officers the authority to require cash bonds from visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates or lacking sufficient screening information to address the issue of visa overstays.

The pilot program will launch on 20/8 and last for about one year. Consular officers will choose one of three bond amounts – $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 – for applicants subject to the requirement, but will be encouraged to request at least $10,000. The bond will be refunded if the visitor departs the US on time.

The US Department of State has outlined the criteria for identifying affected countries. This list of countries may be updated in the future. The Department of State did not estimate how many visa applicants might be affected by this change.

Foreign nationals complete entry procedures at Dulles International Airport, Washington, on 29/6. Photo: AFP

Foreign nationals complete entry procedures at Dulles International Airport, Washington, on 29/6. Photo: AFP

Trump implemented a similar pilot program in November 2020, during the final months of his first term, but it was not fully implemented due to the decline in global travel caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In June, Trump signed an order fully or partially banning entry for citizens from 18 countries, citing national security reasons. Many countries on the banned list, such as Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, and Yemen, have high visa overstay rates.

The spending package approved by the US Congress in July also includes a provision for a $250 "visa assurance fee" for anyone granted a non-immigrant visa. This fee is refundable if the visa holder complies with the regulations. The $250 fee will take effect on 1/10.

The US Travel Association said this fee could hinder travel. "If implemented, the US would become one of the countries with the highest tourist visa fees in the world," the association stated.

Duc Trung (Reuters, AP)