The U.S. State Department is set to launch a pilot program on August 20, 2025, that could require select applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000. The 12-month program targets travelers from countries with high visa overstay rates or insufficient identity screening processes.

The measure allows consular officers to impose bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 based on the traveler’s personal circumstances, including travel purpose, income level, education, and employment status. While the full list of affected countries has yet to be released, the State Department has confirmed that applicants from Malawi and Zambia will be included.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, countries with high overstay rates include Chad, Laos, and Haiti, while Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic lead in absolute numbers of overstays.

The Trump administration, now in its second term, frames the initiative as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls. This comes alongside a controversial $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” already in effect, which many in the travel sector warn could deter inbound tourism.

Critics, including researchers at the Cato Institute, argue that these barriers could severely damage the U.S. tourism economy, which generates over $200 billion annually. Cities such as Las Vegas, which has already seen an 11% drop in international visitors year-over-year, may suffer even greater losses.

While the pilot program affects only about 2,000 applicants, tourism and business leaders fear the broader impact of high costs and administrative burdens on international travel to the U.S. The State Department, however, insists the bond requirement serves as a diplomatic tool to urge foreign governments to improve screening protocols and reduce visa overstays among their nationals.