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US Enforces Visa Bonds of Up to $20,000 for 50 Countries
The US State Department has made its visa bond program permanent for 50 countries. The rule allows consular officers to require certain B-1 and B-2 visa applicants to post bonds of up to $20,000 before a visa is issued.
The new policy aims to reduce the number of visitors who overstay their visas. It will take effect on August 3 when the final rule is published in the Federal Register.
Under the program, consular officers can require eligible applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition for receiving a visa. This is an increase from the previous pilot program that allowed bonds of up to $15,000.