A new pilot program has been proposed that would apply to visitors from countries with high rates of visa overstays.
Do you know about the new U.S. travel visa rule that could cost you up to $15,000?
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Those considering travel to the United States should be aware of a new proposed travel visa system that could require them to provide a bond of up to $15,000.
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently announced a proposed 12-month visa bond pilot program. This program might affect business and leisure travelers applying for visas from countries with high visa overstay rates, according to the State Department. The bond is intended to serve as a financial incentive to ensure visitors depart the country on time. Travelers would receive their money back only after they have proven they left the USA before their visa expires. It would also require these travelers to potentially post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 and to enter the United States through specific airports, which will be announced later.
Countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program, including Canada and Mexico, will be exempt from this bond pilot program.
A similar program was scheduled to be put in place in November 2020 under the first Trump administration, but was never fully implemented because of the decline in travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"By its design and intention, the Pilot Program is a tool of diplomacy, intended to encourage foreign governments to take immediate action to reduce the overstay rates of their nationals when traveling to the United States for temporary visits, and to encourage countries to improve screening and vetting and the security of travel and civil documents, including in the granting of citizenship," the State Department statement says. "As such, the rule properly is described as a key pillar of the Trump Administration's foreign policy to protect the United States from the clear national security threat posed by visa overstays and deficient screening and vetting."
If travelers are required to post a bond, the money will be returned to them if they leave the USA on time, as specified by their visa terms. At this point, it's not clear which countries will be affected by the pilot program, though some nations with high overstay rates are also on the list of countries impacted by Trump's travel ban.
"The Department, through consular officers, has broad authority to require a visa applicant to post a bond in such sum and with such conditions as would help ensure the alien's timely departure from the United States," the Department of State said in a statement. "During the course of the visa interview, a consular officer will determine if an applicant is otherwise eligible for a visa and if the applicant falls within the scope of the Pilot Program. If the applicant falls within the scope of the Pilot Program, the consular officer will inform the applicant of the bond requirement and the amount of the required bond, whether $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000."
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