The United States is launching a pilot program that could require some inbound travelers to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to enter.
The 12-month program is aimed, in part, at visitors from countries with historically high visa overstay rates, according to an unpublished temporary final rule posted in the Federal Register on Tuesday.
It’s the latest move by the Trump administration to tighten immigration laws in the U.S., following a travel ban on nationals from 12 countries in June and a $250 “visa integrity fee” announcement in July.
Here’s what we know about the bond program, based on the Federal Register notice:
Who will have to pay?
The program applies to leisure and business travelers who need B-1 or B-2 visas to enter the U.S., and who are coming from countries:
- that have high visa overstay rates,
- where screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient, or
- that offer Citizenship by Investment without a residency…
