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Planning a vacation or business trip to the U.S.? You might want to check your bank account first.
In yet another move that could make traveling to the United States even more complicated, and expensive, the U.S. State Department has proposed a visa bond program that would require some foreign visitors to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000 just to get in.
Welcome to America. Bring sunscreen, an itinerary, and possibly a $15,000 check.
The plan, which would run as a one-year pilot program, targets travelers from countries with what the U.S. deems “high overstay rates” or weak passport security. Translation: If people from your country have a history of overstaying visas or your government’s paperwork isn’t up to snuff, you could be hit with a hefty deposit just to apply for a U.S. tourist or business visa.
The proposed bond levels? Either $5,000, $10,000 or the full $15,000, money you won’t get back until after you’ve left the country on time. That is, assuming all goes well.
The list of affected countries hasn’t been published yet. But if the plan goes into effect, likely within two weeks of its official announcement, those countries will be made public. Importantly, travelers from nations that are part of the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, which includes most of Europe, Japan, South Korea, and a few others, won’t be affected.
The idea behind the bond, according to the State Department, is to discourage people from overstaying their welcome and to ensure the U.S. doesn’t foot the bill if they do.
Critics say it’s just another hurdle in an already complex immigration system and could price out legitimate travelers.
This isn’t the first time visa bonds have been floated. In fact, the U.S. has considered them before but typically backed away, citing the red tape of collecting, managing, and returning the money. There's also concern it sends the wrong message: that America is closed off to the world, unless you're wealthy enough to take the risk.
But the State Department says that previous reluctance “is not supported by any recent examples or evidence” because, well, the idea hasn’t actually been tried in years.
This proposal follows a string of recent visa clampdowns under the Trump administration. Just last week, the State Department said many people renewing their visas will now have to go through another in-person interview. And applicants for the Diversity Visa Lottery will now have to hold valid passports from their country of citizenship, a new barrier for many.
In short: visiting the U.S. could soon require more than just a suitcase and a plane ticket. For some, it might also mean digging deep into savings or abandoning the trip altogether.
Welcome to America. Bring sunscreen, an itinerary, and possibly a $15,000 check.
Source: AP News
