On Monday (August 4,2025), the United States’ State Department declared that certain U.S. visa applicants would now be eligible to receive bonds worth up to $15,000 under the new ‘Visa Bond Pilot Program.’
One of U.S. government’s priorities under President Donald Trump’s administration is to deport illegal immigrants and bolster border security.
A $5,000 to $15,000 bond may be imposed by consular officials on visa applicants under the program.
An applicant may be asked to pay a bond if they come from nations with his US overstay rates and insufficient documentation screening for persons entering the US.
This is for people applying for the B-1 or business visa and B-2 or tourist visas.
In response to the Executive Order 14159, also known as “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” the State Department, Department of Treasury, and Department of Homeland Security will support the 1-year Pilot Program.
In the coming days, the State Department will release a list of nations that will be included.
The Visa Bond Pilot Program will go into effect 15 days after it will be officially published on the Federal Register website on August 5.—Isa Estrellado, Contributor