Why Some Tourists May Soon Need to Pay a $15,000 Visa Bond
The $15,000 visa bond pilot program goes into effect later this month. Here's what we know so far.

Today, the State Department announced a new visa bond pilot program that will take effect on August 20. On that date, visitors from certain countries may need to pay a bond of $5,000 to $15,000 to enter the country as a tourist.
Like the $250 visa integrity fee introduced with the passage of the "One Big, Beautiful Bill," it's essentially a refundable security deposit. Visitors will get the money refunded if they don't breach the terms of the bond.
The State Department attempted a similar move during Trump's first term in office, implementing a six-month visa bond pilot program in 2020. But, pandemic-related travel restrictions forced the agency to put the program on hold.

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
While its impact so far seems narrow in scope, the notice leaves room to expand its reach to more countries as the program continues. Here's everything we know about the $15,000 visa bond so far.
What is the visa bond pilot program?
According to the notification published by the State Department, the visa bond pilot program will apply to visitors with a B-1 or B-2 visa. These are essentially temporary tourist visas for people coming here for short-term vacations or business trips.
The department says it will impose the bond requirement on countries that have a high visa overstay rate. According to a 2023 report from the Congressional Research Service, fewer than 2% of nonimmigrant visa holders overstay their visa each year, which amounts to 720,000 overstays per year on average. The majority of those do first enter the country on a B-1 or B-2 visa.
It may also target countries that offer golden visas, or "citizenship by investment" along with a handful of other countries deemed high risk by the state department.
As part of the visa application process, consular officers can require a bond of no less than $5,000 and up to $15,000 from visitors who are coming from the target countries. The bond is meant to act as a kind of security deposit. As long as visa holders leave the country on or before the departure date, they'll get their money back. In reality, it's a little more complicated than that, as you'll see later in this article.
The pilot program will run for 12 months, expiring on August 6, 2026.
Faye Insurance offers travel insurance with 100% digital claims and real-time support.
Explore plans at withfaye.com.
Which countries have to post the visa bond?
Right now, only two countries are on the list: Malawi and Zambia. But the notice from the State Department stated that more could be added throughout the pilot program. If any are added, they will be announced at least 15 days before the bond requirements go into effect for those countries.
Because of the limited scope of the visa bond pilot program, the State Department estimates that only about 2,000 visitors will be expected to post the bond. But this is just a trial run to see if this kind of policy is logistically feasible.
The visa bond compliance requirements are tricky
On the surface, the process to get your bond returned seems straightforward. Visitors who leave on or before their authorized departure date (or who get a visa but end up not traveling at all) can have the bond payment returned to them.
In reality, it's a little more complicated than that. Visa holders must arrive and depart from one of the required ports of entry listed on the State Department website. Right now, that list includes just three airports: Boston, JFK and Washington Dulles.
So, tourists who want to visit, say, California or Florida, would need to make sure their flight itinerary has them entering and leaving the country through one of those northeastern airports.
What the visa bond means for those seeking asylum
An easy-to-overlook detail of this new pilot program is the third condition that counts as a breach of the visa bond. Visitors who travel here on a valid nonimmigrant visa and then apply for an immigrant visa will be considered in breach of the bond and won't get their refund. The State Department specifies that this includes applying for asylum.
At the same time, U.S. law requires asylum seekers to be physically present in the country in order to claim asylum here. The only legal way to do that, then, is to enter the country on a nonimmigrant visa.
The timing of this new pilot program is notable. It comes just one month after a federal judge struck down Trump's proclamation blocking asylum seekers coming to the country through the U.S. border with Mexico.
While this program doesn't actually ban asylum seekers, it does effectively mean that refugees coming from countries on the list will have to treat the up to $15,000 bond as an application fee – as they have no choice but to enter the country in order to claim asylum and, in claiming asylum, they are in breach of the visa bond.
What to expect next from the visa bond pilot program
For now, the visa bond pilot program applies to just a few travelers from select countries. But depending on how it unfolds, the State Department may expand it to include more countries — potentially affecting thousands more visitors in the future.
Travelers should check the U.S. State Department’s website for the most up-to-date list of countries affected by the visa bond requirement.
Related content
Profit and prosper with the best of Kiplinger's advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and much more. Delivered daily. Enter your email in the box and click Sign Me Up.

Rachael Green is a personal finance eCommerce writer specializing in insurance, travel, and credit cards. Before joining Kiplinger in 2025, she wrote blogs and whitepapers for financial advisors and reported on everything from the latest business news and investing trends to the best shopping deals. Her bylines have appeared in Benzinga, CBS News, Travel + Leisure, Bustle, and numerous other publications. A former digital nomad, Rachael lived in Lund, Vienna, and New York before settling down in Atlanta. She’s eager to share her tips for finding the best travel deals and navigating the logistics of managing money while living abroad. When she’s not researching the latest insurance trends or sharing the best credit card reward hacks, Rachael can be found traveling or working in her garden.
-
I'm 60 with $2.8 million saved. I'm miserable working, but I need health insurance until Medicare kicks in. What are my options?
The 'healthcare desert' is real. We ask financial experts for advice.
-
Should You Claim Social Security Early or Late? A Financial Adviser Weighs In
There isn't a wrong age to start claiming Social Security, but there are factors that everyone should consider to avoid leaving money on the table.
-
4 Money Habits Boomers Swore By That Millennials Are Walking Away From
Millennials are trading tradition for flexibility when it comes to building wealth.
-
Abu Dhabi Adventures: New Thrills, Iconic Sights and Disney’s Latest Park
Discover the mix of culture, wildlife and modern marvels that make this Middle Eastern city a destination to watch.
-
My First $1 Million: Health Care Worker, 48, Sagadahoc County, Maine
Ever wonder how someone who's made a million dollars or more did it? Kiplinger's My First $1 Million series uncovers the answers.
-
Despite Our Grumbles, America Still Delivers on the Dream: Perspective From a Financial Pro Who's Seen Stuff
Some of us might complain about the state of our nation (and those concerns are legit), but America still offers unparalleled opportunities and mobility that many people around the world only dream about.
-
Sling TV Launches Select Plan With Lower Price Point
A lean new $19.99 bundle combines top news, sports and entertainment channels with 4K options and local feeds.
-
Are Rideshare Drivers on the Road to Financial Ruin?
Being a rideshare driver can be a great way to meet people and make money. But overlooking this one thing could cost you thousands.
-
Spirit Airlines' Future in Doubt: What This Means for Budget Travel
Spirit Airlines says it may not survive another year. Here's how its potential collapse could affect low-cost flights and what it means for travelers seeking affordable airfare.
-
Bonds Pay in Good and Bad Times
Bonds can act as a financial safety net through good times and bad. But different bonds carry different returns and risks, so do your homework before investing.