New US Visa Rule Could Mandate Bonds Of Up To $15,000

WASHINGTON, D.C.-The US State Department is set to roll out a pilot program that may require foreign nationals seeking business or tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, according to a preview of a bond notice posted on the Federal Register website.

Under the 12-month “visa bond pilot program,” consular officers could require certain business and tourist visa applicants to post guarantee bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, according to the notice set to be officially published.

The program will take effect 15 days after the notice is officially published.

The bonds may be required for travelers from countries that the State Department identifies as having high rates of visa overstays, or deficient screening and vetting information, said the notice.

The notice did not name the countries affected, but said the list will be released online at least 15 days before it takes effect.

Last week, the State Department announced that many visa renewal applicants would have to submit to an additional in-person interview, which was not required in the past. (IANS)