New Visa Requirements: State Department Proposes $15,000 Bond for Applicants—What You Need to Know

The U.S. State Department is looking to change visa requirements. They propose that applicants for business and tourist visas post a bond that can be as high as $15,000. This change aims to make visitors financially accountable for adhering to visa terms.

Starting in 2023, a pilot program will target individuals from countries with high overstay rates. Those applicants may need to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. This shift comes alongside other stricter requirements, like mandatory in-person interviews for many visa renewal applicants. The State Department is also asking participants in the Visa Diversity Lottery to have valid passports from their countries.

This new bond requirement seeks to protect the U.S. government from financial liability if a visitor fails to follow visa rules. The program will officially begin 15 days after its announcement.

Historically, similar bond proposals have surfaced, but none were enacted. The State Department has previously been cautious about implementing these bonds due to the complexity of processing them and concerns about public perception. Yet, officials believe that past objections don’t hold up anymore, given that bonds haven’t been a recent requirement.

According to a 2022 study by the Pew Research Center, nearly 1.8 million people overstayed their visas between 2012 and 2018. This data underscores the urgency many officials feel to address visa compliance.

As the U.S. continues grappling with immigration and visa issues, the reactions from people and social media indicate mixed feelings. Some see the bond as an unfair barrier, while others argue it could enhance accountability among international travelers.

For those interested in more information about this topic, check the U.S. State Department’s official page on visa policies here.

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