US Makes Visa Bond Permanent, Raises Fee to $20,000
The United States has made permanent a visa bond program requiring travelers from selected countries to pay a refundable security deposit before obtaining business and tourist visas, a move that disproportionately affects African nations and marks the latest tightening of immigration rules under President Donald Trump.
The regulation, released on Monday, raises the maximum bond amount to $20,000 from the $15,000 ceiling used during the pilot phase and eliminates the previous $5,000 minimum option.
“The bond applies to applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas for business and tourism. The deposit is refunded if the visa application is denied or, if approved, the traveler complies with the conditions of the visa, including departing the United States before it expires,” said John Kamau, a Nairobi based immigration expert.
African countries account for the majority of nations affected by the policy, meaning the financial burden will fall most heavily on travelers from the continent. For many applicants, the requirement to raise thousands of dollars before a visa interview is expected to become a significant barrier to travel for business, tourism and family visits.
The permanent adoption of the program underscores the Trump administration’s continued focus on stricter immigration enforcement. Since returning to office, Trump has pursued a series of measures aimed at reducing illegal immigration, increasing immigration screening and encouraging compliance with US visa rules.
His administration has expanded deportation efforts, strengthened immigration enforcement, tightened asylum procedures, increased scrutiny of visa applicants and introduced additional vetting requirements for foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States. Officials have argued that the measures are necessary to improve national security and reduce visa overstays.
Supporters of the visa bond programme say it provides a financial incentive for visitors to comply with the terms of their visas and return home before their authorised stay expires. Critics, however, argue that the policy unfairly targets nationals from lower-income countries, particularly in Africa, by imposing substantial upfront costs on legitimate travelers while creating another obstacle to international mobility.
The latest changes deepen a shift in tye US immigration policy under Trump, whose administration has repeatedly prioritised tougher border controls and stricter visa enforcement as central pillars of its immigration agenda.
ligadwah@businessdayafrica.org
Edited by Gerald Wechuli