United States trials entry border control for select nations

United States Conducting Entry Deposit Checks for Specific Nations - United States trials entry border control for select nations

The United States is set to implement a new pilot program, known as the Visa Bond Pilot Program, starting on August 20, 2022. This program aims to address concerns about visa compliance and timely departure from the U.S. by requiring certain visa applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates to post a refundable bond when applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas.

The bond, which can be determined by consular officers as $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, serves as a financial guarantee that the individual will not overstay their visa. The program will run for approximately one year, providing valuable insights into its effectiveness.

Countries identified by the U.S. State Department as having high visa overstay rates, inadequate security screening or vetting procedures, policies granting citizenship through investment without residency, and diplomatic or foreign policy concerns are the primary focus of this pilot project. While an official public list has not been released, countries with historically high overstay rates that may be affected include Haiti, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Brazil.

However, it is important to note that citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program (42 countries from Europe and the Middle East) are exempt from the bond requirement. The bond may also be waived based on individual circumstances.

This pilot is part of a broader effort to strengthen immigration enforcement and national security, consistent with Executive Order 141598 signed during the Trump administration. The list of countries subject to the bond can be updated periodically by the State Department.

This is the first actual implementation requiring financial bonds for visa issuance based on risk assessment related to visa overstays. The aim is to deter visa overstays by creating a financial stake for applicants from targeted countries.

The exact target countries of this measure will be announced later. Violating the conditions of a visa will result in the loss of the bond, and retained bonds may be used to cover costs incurred by the U.S. government for deportation proceedings.

The implementation of the pilot project was delayed due to the decrease in global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic. The notice was published in the U.S. Federal Register, signaling the official start of this significant immigration policy change.

[1] Associated Press. (2022, July 26). U.S. to require bond for some foreign visitors. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/us-require-bond-some-foreign-visitors-83859645

[2] U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. (n.d.). Visa Bond Pilot Program. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-c-chapter-3/Visa-Bond-Pilot-Program

1. The Visa Bond Pilot Program, a new initiative aimed at addressing visa compliance issues, falls under the broader category of policy-and-legislation, mirroring the executive orders signed during the Trump administration.
2. The Visa Bond Pilot Program, implemented to deter visa overstays by creating a financial stake for applicants, may impact a number of countries with high visa overstay rates, potentially including Haiti, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Brazil.
3. In line with the objective of enhancing lifestyle choices and facilitating international travel, the Visa Bond Pilot Program serves as a measure to improve national security and immigration enforcement in the United States.

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