Trump to require up to $20,000 visa bond for travelers from 50 countries
US President Donald Trump (photo: Getty Images)
The US State Department will make permanent a visa bond program that allows consular officers to require certain applicants from 50 countries to post a bond of up to $20,000 when applying for nonimmigrant visas, Reuters reports.
Washington says the mechanism is intended to help reduce visa overstays and ensure compliance with rules governing stays in the United States. At the same time, human rights advocates warn that the new requirements could create additional barriers for people with legitimate reasons to travel.
US President Donald Trump says such measures are necessary to strengthen national security and combat illegal immigration.
United States tightens enforcement of visa rules
The US State Department said consular officers will be authorized to require applicants for nonimmigrant visas covered by the program to post a bond as a condition for receiving a visa.
The bond may be as high as $20,000. During the pilot program, which began in 2025, the fixed bond amounts were $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000.
After the program becomes permanent, the minimum bond of $5,000 will be eliminated, while the maximum bond will increase to $20,000.
According to the US State Department, the program will apply to citizens of 50 countries, including 30 African nations.
Ukraine is not on the list of those countries. However, it includes several former Soviet republics: Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
The full list is available on the United States Department of Tourism's website. The new rules will take effect after publication in the Federal Register.
Background
Trump is increasingly seeking to monetize the presence of foreign nationals in the United States. Earlier, it became known that the Trump administration is considering introducing a $100,000 fee for foreign students planning to remain in the country for work after completing their studies.
