New $15K Visa Bond Requirement for Travelers from 12 Countries

In a move that has drawn criticism from immigration advocates, the Trump administration has announced a new requirement for visa applicants from a select group of countries to post a bond of up to $15,000. This measure, which is set to take effect on December 24, 2020, is the latest in a series of steps the administration has taken to restrict both legal and illegal immigration to the United States.

The 12 countries affected by this new policy are: Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, Liberia, Russia, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, and Zambia. The administration claims that these countries have high rates of overstaying temporary visas, and the new bond requirement is intended to deter potential visa violators.

Under the new policy, certain visa applicants from these countries will be required to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the type of visa they are seeking. The bond must be paid upfront and will be refunded if the traveler returns to their home country as required by the terms of their visa.

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