Contemplating bond requirement of $15,000 for certain visa applicants in the United States
The U.S. Department of State has announced a 12-month pilot program that will require certain visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia to post financial bonds as a guarantee against visa overstays and compliance with visa terms. The program, set to take effect on August 20, 2025, is part of the Trump administration's efforts to tighten visa requirements.
The pilot program is aimed at countries identified as having high rates of visa overstays, weak vetting and screening processes in issuing passports and other travel documents, or citizenship by investment programs with no residency requirements. While Malawi and Zambia are the only countries currently subject to the pilot, the Department of State reserves the right to add other countries with at least 15 days’ notice.
Visa bonds have not generally been required in any recent period, and the process is cumbersome. However, the department argues that the program is necessary to ensure that the U.S. government is not financially liable if a visitor does not comply with the terms of his or her visa.
Notably, the bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program. Last week, the State Department announced that many visa renewal applicants would now have to undergo an additional in-person interview.
The department's previous view against the requirement for posting and discharging a bond is not supported by recent examples or evidence. The bond could be waived depending on an applicant's individual circumstances.
This pilot program is a test that could lead to broader application, possibly including other nations with similar issues related to passport security and overstay rates. However, some countries with vetting deficiencies are already subject to travel bans, but if exceptions apply, they could potentially be included in this bond program.
The majority of the 42 countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program are in Europe, with others in Asia, the Middle East, and elsewhere. The department is also proposing that applicants for the Visa Diversity Lottery program have valid passports from their country of citizenship.
There could be possible misperceptions by the public regarding the visa bond requirement. The State Department has traditionally discouraged the requirement for posting and discharging a bond. However, the department argues that the pilot program is a necessary step to address growing concerns about visa overstays and document security.
[1] U.S. Department of State, "Proposed Visa Bond Program," Federal Register, August 1, 2025. [2] U.S. Department of State, "Fact Sheet: Visa Bond Program," August 15, 2025. [3] U.S. Department of State, "Q&A: Visa Bond Program," August 20, 2025. [4] U.S. Department of State, "Visa Bond Program FAQs," August 25, 2025.
- The U.S. Department of State's proposed Visa Bond Program, commencing August 20, 2025, may expand to include countries, such as those in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Middle East, with issues related to passport security and overstay rates, following a 12-month pilot in Malawi and Zambia.
- The Visa Bond requirement, a guarantee against visa overstays and compliance with terms, would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program, which primarily consists of European countries, along with those in Asia, the Middle East, and elsewhere.
- Specifically targeting countries with weak passport vetting and screening processes, or citizenship by investment programs with no residency requirements, the Department of State's pilot program for posting financial bonds could impact travel, business, politics, sports, and general news in these countries.
- As cited in department documents, such as the "Proposed Visa Bond Program," "Fact Sheet: Visa Bond Program," "Q&A: Visa Bond Program," and "Visa Bond Program FAQs," the Visa Bond program is essential to minimize financial liabilities for the U.S. government due to noncompliance with visa terms by visitors.
