US makes Pacific visa bond program permanent, raising fees to up to $20,000

The United States has solidified its pilot Visa Bond Program, extending it to 50 Pacific Island nations and raising the required bond range to $10,000-$20,000 as of August 3. The measure applies to non-immigrant B-1 and B-2 visa seekers and is meant to curb overstays, with the bond refundable if visa conditions are met. Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, Papua New Guinea and other countries are now subject to the rule, even for residents living in Australia who use their Pacific passports.

Tonga’s prime minister, Lord Fakafanua, called the permanent adoption disappointing and indicated he will seek diplomatic solutions. Travel agent Alisi Mo'ungaloa Afu notes that the higher bond has caused a significant decline in applications, as many Tongans cannot afford the combined visa fee, travel expenses and bond. The State Department cites a 98% return-on-time rate among the 5,000 bonded travelers during the pilot, while overstay rates for Tonga and Fiji remain higher than for some other Pacific nations.