U.S. State Department imposes up to $20,000 visa bonds for select travelers

The U.S. State Department announced on Friday that a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 will be required from visitors of certain countries applying for B1 or B2 visas. The bond is refundable once the visa expires, but the repayment period can vary from a few months to a decade, depending on the visa’s length. This policy expands a pilot program introduced last year that initially affected 50 nations.

Analysts such as Aaron Reichlin-Melnick of the American Immigration Council argue that the requirement will suppress inbound tourism at a time when the sector is already suffering from earlier immigration restrictions. During the recent World Cup, the administration temporarily lifted the bonds for ticket holders, yet other travel bans still prevented many fans and relatives of players from attending. The new rule is projected to reduce tourism revenue and could also impact international student enrollment and university finances.