US Introduces $250,000 Visa Bonds for Select Immigrant Applicants

The US government has introduced a new pilot program requiring select immigrant applicants from the Dominican Republic to post bonds of up to $250,000 before obtaining an immigrant visa.

This development comes days after the US made permanent its $20,000 visa bond programme for certain non-immigrant visa applicants from 50 countries, including Nigeria.

The pilot program targets prospective immigrants who were initially denied visas because officials believed they would become dependent on government-funded welfare programs.

In a statement, the State Department said immigration to the US is 'a privilege, not a right,' and those seeking to obtain this privilege must be able to demonstrate that they will be a benefit, rather than a burden, to the nation.