This move, aimed at addressing high overstay rates and security concerns, may make visa access unaffordable for many travelers. In a notice set to be published in the Federal Register, the department announced a 12-month pilot program. Under this initiative, applicants from countries identified for high visa overstay rates or internal document security issues could be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 when applying for a visa. The program will start within 15 days of the notice’s publication.

The proposal follows recent restrictions introduced by the Trump administration, including added in-person interviews for visa renewal applicants. It also suggests that applicants for the Diversity Visa Lottery must hold valid passports from their countries.

The bond requirement aims to protect the U.S. government from financial liability if visitors violate their visa terms. The notice states that the bonds may not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program and could be waived based on individual circumstances. The affected countries will be officially listed once the pilot begins.

Historically, visa bonds have been proposed but not implemented due to the complex process of posting and releasing bonds, and concerns over public perception. However, the department now states recent evidence does not support that discouragement, as no recent periods have seen widespread visa bond requirements. (Jamaica Gleaner)