The Trump administration has introduced a pilot programme requiring foreign visitors on B-1/B-2 tourist or business visas to pay a bond of up to USD 15,000 to ensure timely departure from the US. This 12-month initiative, detailed in a US State Department ‘temporary final rule,’ aims to reduce visa overstays and bolster national security, running until August 5, 2026.

The programme targets nationals from countries with high overstay rates, inadequate vetting systems, or citizenship-by-investment programmes lacking residency requirements. Consular officers will have the authority to impose bonds based on risk evaluations. The State Department will announce the list of affected countries at least 15 days before the programme begins, with updates as necessary.

Aligned with President Trump’s focus on curbing illegal immigration, the programme addresses over 500,000 suspected visa overstays reported by the Department of Homeland Security in 2023. It also acts as a diplomatic lever to urge foreign governments to enhance vetting and ensure their citizens adhere to US immigration laws.

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The bond requirement has sparked debate, with some seeing it as a barrier to travel and others as a necessary step for accountability. The policy reflects the administration’s broader push to strengthen border security and reshape global engagement with US immigration rules.

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