WASHINGTON, Aug. 1: The United States has made its visa bond program permanent for citizens of 50 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, while raising the maximum bond amount to $20,000.
According to a draft notice published in the Federal Register, the U.S. Department of State concluded that a one-year review found sufficient evidence supporting the effectiveness of the pilot program. The new regulation is set to take effect on Monday.
Under the revised policy, applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas from the listed countries may be required to pay a visa bond before their interview. The bond amount will now be either $10,000 or $20,000, replacing the previous pilot-scale range of $5,000 to $15,000.
The bond will be fully refunded if the visa application is denied. If a visa is granted, the money will also be returned after the traveler complies with all visa conditions and leaves the United States within the authorized period.
The visa bond initiative was first introduced in August last year as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to reduce visa overstays and combat illegal immigration. U.S. officials estimate that detaining and deporting an individual who overstays a visa costs the government approximately $18,000.
Most African nations, along with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, are included in the permanent program. U.S. authorities have also indicated that additional countries could be added to the list in the future.
The policy is expected to affect business travelers, tourists and families from the participating countries who plan to visit the United States.
