State Department Finalizes $10,000-$20,000 Visa Bonds for Some Visitors
Updated
Updated · The New Republic · Jul 31
State Department Finalizes $10,000-$20,000 Visa Bonds for Some Visitors
3 articles · Updated · The New Republic · Jul 31
Summary
$10,000 to $20,000 bonds will be required from some tourists and business travelers seeking U.S. B1 and B2 visas under a finalized State Department pilot published Friday.
The plan applies to visitors from a select list of countries, with deposits refunded only when the visa expires; for some 10-year visas, that could delay repayment for a decade.
About 50 countries were covered when the pilot was introduced last year, though the administration temporarily waived the bonds for World Cup ticket holders this summer.
The policy adds to broader Trump-era visa restrictions that critics say have already cut tourism revenue, blocked some World Cup attendees and hurt international student enrollment.