US Makes Visa Bond Permanent for 50 Nations, Raising Ceiling to $20,000

The State Department is making permanent a pilot visa bond program for 50 countries, mainly in Africa, and raising the maximum bond to $20,000. A draft notice published Friday in the Federal Register said a year-long review provided sufficient data to suggest the program effectively enforces compliance with visa conditions.

The notice, to be formally released Monday, makes the program permanent and allows additional countries to be added. The pilot set the maximum bond at $15,000, with lower amounts of $5,000 and $10,000 at a consular officer's discretion. The final regulation removes the $5,000 tier and raises the ceiling to $20,000.

Holders of passports from the affected countries must post the bond to be interviewed for B1 and B2 business and tourist visas. The bond is refunded if the visa is denied or if the traveler adheres to the visa terms. The Trump administration launched the program last August to crack down on visa overstays.

The government estimates that arresting and deporting overstayers costs about $18,000 per person. In 2024, nearly 45,500 visitors from the 50 countries overstayed their visas. During the first 10 months of the pilot, the number of overstays from those countries was fewer than 50, the notice said.

The program's impact on visa demand has been sharp. The State Department initially expected about 2,000 applicants would be required to post the bond. Instead, roughly 20,000 applicants were covered. Nearly half chose not to pay, and B1/B2 visa issuances to citizens of those countries declined 83%.

“The department expects that this final rule will contribute to the continued reduction of demand for B1/B2 visa applications from nationals of countries subject to the programme,” the notice said.

For travel-related stocks, the permanent program represents a structural reduction in demand from a set of countries that, while not the largest source of visitors, accounted for a disproportionate share of overstays. Airlines with routes to Africa and educational institutions that recruit students from the affected nations could see fewer passengers and applicants.

The 83% decline in visa issuances during the pilot indicates the bond requirement is a significant deterrent. The government expects further declines as the program becomes permanent.

Critics have said the program imposes an unnecessarily harsh burden on people from impoverished countries. From a market perspective, the reduced travel demand is likely to persist as long as the bond requirement remains in place.

Additional countries may be added to the list, expanding the program's reach. The State Department said the notice provides for future additions.

The bond program is one of several Trump administration measures aimed at curbing illegal migration. Others include travel bans and increased enforcement at the border.

The rule takes effect Monday. Comments on the notice are due within 30 days.