United States Enacts Trial Border Entry Policy from Specific Nations
The U.S. government is set to implement a visa bond requirement pilot program for tourist and business travelers, starting on August 20, 2025. This program will last for 12 months until August 5, 2026. Initially, the measure will target nationals of Malawi and Zambia, who will need to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as part of their B-1/B-2 visa application process.
While countries such as Chad, Eritrea, Myanmar, Yemen, and Haiti were mentioned in the Department of Homeland Security's 2023 report as examples of countries with a high rate of visa overstays, these countries are not currently included in the initial rollout of the bond requirement. The Department of State has the authority to add additional countries with at least 15 days' public notice before the bond requirement applies to them.
The bond aim is to ensure compliance with visa conditions and timely departure from the U.S. Retained bonds could be used to cover costs incurred by the U.S. government for deportation procedures. Affected visa applicants must pay the bond through a designated government platform after instruction from consular officers; the bond is refundable if the visa holder complies with all visa conditions. No waivers for the bond are generally allowed except in urgent humanitarian cases as determined by consular officers.
The measure will initially target visitors from countries with a high rate of visa overstays, as listed in the Department of Homeland Security's 2023 report. It's important to note that visitors from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, including most EU states and Germany, will not be affected by the bond requirement.
This program is part of a one-year pilot project and is expected to improve visa compliance and reduce overstays. Keep an eye on updates from the Department of State regarding any potential expansion of the bond requirement to additional countries.
Key Points:
- The visa bond requirement pilot program starts on August 20, 2025, and lasts for 12 months.
- Initially, the measure targets Malawi and Zambia.
- The bond amounts vary, with $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 possible.
- The bond is refundable if the visa holder complies with all conditions.
- The program aims to improve visa compliance and reduce overstays.
- Visitors from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program are not affected.
- The Department of State has the authority to add additional countries with at least 15 days' public notice.
- Currently, Chad, Eritrea, Myanmar, Yemen, and Haiti are not included in the initial rollout.
- No waivers for the bond are generally allowed except in urgent humanitarian cases.
The visa bond requirement pilot program, commencing on August 25, 2025, and lasting for a year, aims to reduce overstays and improve visa compliance. Initially, visitors from Malawi and Zambia are the targets, with varying bond amounts ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The bond is refundable if the visa holder adheres to all conditions. It's essential to monitor updates from the Department of State for possible expansion of the bond requirement to other countries. However, currently, Chad, Eritrea, Myanmar, Yemen, and Haiti are not included in the initial rollout of this program. Visitors from countries under the Visa Waiver Program, including most EU states and Germany, will not be affected by the bond requirement.
