According to the pre-release version of the “Visa Bond Pilot Program” published in the U.S. Federal Register on the 4th, the U.S. Department of State will require some applicants from certain countries seeking business and tourist visas to the U.S. to pay a bond of up to US$15,000 (about RM63,400).
Xinhua News Agency reports that this 12-month pilot program is expected to be officially announced on the 5th and will take effect 15 days after the official announcement.
According to the program’s pre-release version, if citizens of a particular country have a higher rate of overstaying in the U.S. and the information provided for review is insufficient, that country may be included on the list of countries required to pay a visa bond. This list will be published later.
The U.S. Department of State said that the visa bond amounts are divided into three tiers: US$5,000, US$10,000, and US$15,000. If a visa applicant pays the bond, obtains the visa and enters the United States but then violates relevant regulations, the U.S. federal government will retain this bond.
Applicants May Give Up Due to Inability to Afford Fees
U.S. media predict that this measure will cause some U.S. visa applicants to give up applying because they cannot afford the bond, and some U.S. cities that rely on tourism may also be affected.
This year, the Trump administration has further increased scrutiny on applicants for U.S. visas and restricted the entry of citizens from multiple countries. On June 4, citing “national security” and other reasons, the White House issued an announcement fully restricting citizens from 12 countries including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Iran, Yemen, and others from entering the U.S.