In certain cases, foreign nationals applying for temporary visitor visas to the United States — specifically B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism/pleasure) visas — may now be required to post a substantial monetary bond as a condition of visa issuance.
Under this pilot program, consular officers may require qualifying applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 before a visa can be granted. The decision is made at the discretion of the U.S. Department of State’s consular officials, and the amount is typically determined based on perceived risk factors, including the likelihood of the traveler overstaying their visa.
At present, the program may apply to applicants who are nationals of Malawi and Zambia, but the State Department has indicated it may expand the requirement to include other countries — particularly those with historically high rates of visa overstays or with inadequate screening and vetting processes.
The stated purpose of this bond requirement is to encourage compliance with U.S. immigration laws and to discourage overstays. If the visa holder departs the United States within the authorized timeframe, the bond is refundable. However, failing to comply with visa terms could result in forfeiture of the bond and potential bars on future travel.
For travelers and businesses alike, this development underscores the importance of understanding evolving U.S. visa requirements. Those planning to visit the United States — especially from countries that could be added to the program — should be prepared for the possibility of additional financial and procedural hurdles.
Our firm will continue to monitor updates to this policy and provide guidance to clients who may be impacted. If you have questions about the visitor visa process or need assistance preparing your application, please contact our office at michael@wildeslaw.com.
*This is an ongoing development, and this post may not be fully updated.