According to a provisional final rule released in the Federal Register on Tuesday, the State administration will begin a new pilot program late this month by requiring foreign tourists who intend to travel to the United States from specific countries to deposit bonds of up to $15,000.
Under the program, which will start on August 20, 2025 and last through August 5, 2026, individuals from designated foreign nations who apply for B-1 or B-2 visas for travel to the United States for business or pleasure will be particularly covered. The maximum duration of stay for each of those visas is six months, though extensions are occasionally allowed.
America’s $15,000 Visa Bond Policy Takes Effect
According to the Trump administration, the initiative is a direct response to President Donald Trump’s January executive order, “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” and its goal is to reduce visa overstays in the United States. Based on information gathered by the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department will only impose these rules on nations that have a history of high visa overstay rates. The program will initially apply to visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia, the State Department said on Tuesday. According to the rule, the list of nations may be different throughout the program.
The State Department stated that these owners of Malawian and Zambian visas will be required to cross in and out of one of three airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport, Boston Logan International Airport, or Washington Dulles International Airport. Later this month, the new pilot program is expected to get underway. Individuals from specific foreign countries who are seeking B-1 or B-2 visas for travel to the United States for business or pleasure will be specifically covered by the program. It is scheduled to begin on August 20, 2025 and end on August 5, 2026.
US Government Visa Grant – Overview
| Title of the article | America’s $15,000 Visa Bond Policy Takes Effect: Travellers from these countries will be affected first |
| Country | US |
| Department | US Department of State |
| Bond amount | $15,000 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Category | News |
| Official portal | travel.state.gov |
What is the New Pilot Program in the US?
The program is an immediate reaction to President Donald Trump’s executive order “Securing The American People from Invasion,” which was announced in January and intends to reduce the number of visa overstays in the United States, according to the Trump administration. The Pilot Program’s goal is to persuade foreign countries to act right away in order to lower the number of their citizens who overstay when they come to the US for brief visits.
The rule added, “The program also seeks to incentivise nations to enhance screening and vetting, as well as the safety of travel and civil papers, particularly in the granting of citizenship.” As a condition of being granted a visa, applicants must provide a $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 bond; the amount will be decided by consular officers based on each individual’s situation. This may pertain to “any info provided by the visa claimant on the visa application or in the visa interview about the alien’s resolution of travel, existing employment, revenue, skills, and education.”
Which Countries Require $15,000 Bond to Grant Visa?
To enter the United States on business or tourist visas, inhabitants of Malawi and Zambia will be required to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000. Beginning on August 20, the policy will be implemented as part of a one-year trial program to reduce visa overstays. Included in the Trump administration’s immigration policy drive are financial deterrents and tougher enforcement. Travellers will have their bond back if they adhere to all visa requirements. Extending will result in the penalty of the bond.
According to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, “this targeted, common-sense measure deters visa overstays while reinforcing the administration’s commitment to US immigration law,” she said on Tuesday. Without identifying the impacted nations, the policy was unveiled the day before. The first two countries on the list were later confirmed by officials to be Malawi and Zambia, both landlocked African countries with little transit to the US.
How to Apply for the US Visa?
Follow the steps below to apply for the visa:
Complete the DS-160 Application
- Start the Form DS-160 online application process by going to the Consular Electronic Application Centre website.
- You must supply a current digital photo that satisfies U.S. government standards as part of the online application procedure.
- Information regarding your planned trip to the United States and your passport is required.
- According to Boundless Immigration, the form will ask you about your financial records and significant ties to your native country (job, property, family, etc.).
- You will need the confirmation sheet with the barcode for your interview, so print it after completing the form.
Pay the Application Fee
- Pay the non-refundable visa application fee. The exact fee amount can be found on the U.S. Embassy portal.
- You may also be required to pay a visa exchange fee, liable on your country of origin.
Schedule an Interview
- Follow the commands on the U.S. Embassy portal or the U.S. Travel Docs portal to schedule your visa interview.
- You may be qualified for an interview contract if you have previously held a B1/B2 visa distributed by a U.S. post in India.
Prepare for the Interview
- Collect all necessary paperwork, such as your passport, DS-160 confirmation page, photo, and any supplementary records pertaining to your work, finances, and trip itinerary.
- Prepare to be questioned about your travels, the reasons you are in the United States, and your connections to your homeland.
- Have documentation of your ability to pay for your vacation ready.
Attend the Interview
- Show up at the assigned American embassy or consulate on time for your interview.
- Present the consulate official with the necessary paperwork.
- Give a sincere and comprehensive response to the interviewer’s inquiries.
After the Interview
- You will be notified of the consular officer’s decision about your visa application.
- The following procedures for obtaining your visa will be communicated to you if it is granted.
- If the consular official rejects your visa, they will provide you with an explanation.
| Official Website | Click Here |
| Homepage | Moyle-Council.org |
FAQs
How much amount of bond is required for a visa?
up to $15,000 bond is required for the visa.
Which countries require the $15,000 bond for a visa?
To enter the United States on business or tourist visas, inhabitants of Malawi and Zambia will be required to pay a visa bond
