The Digest:
The US State Department has launched a new pilot program requiring some visitors to pay bonds of up to $15,000, targeting countries with high visa overstay rates. This new regulation starts on August 20 and applies to B-1 and B-2 visa applicants.
Key Points:
- The program, set to run for 12 months, aims to deter overstays by requiring bonds from visitors from countries with historically high overstay rates.
- Countries initially affected include Zambia and Malawi, with the potential for others based on overstay rates.
- The bonds will be refundable if visitors comply with the terms of their stay.
- The visa bond amounts will vary: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on the consular officer's assessment of the applicant’s circumstances.
- This move follows a previous attempt to implement a similar policy in 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new US visa bond program targets travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates, requiring a refundable bondof up to $15,000. Zambia and Malawi are the first countries impacted, aiming to curb illegal overstays and improve compliance with visa terms.
