Now Reading: US makes visa bond permanent, warns wider rollout may hit tourism
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US makes visa bond permanent, warns wider rollout may hit tourism
US makes visa bond permanent, warns wider rollout may hit tourism
The US State Department has made a visa bond programme permanent for nationals of 50 countries, allowing consular officers to demand refundable bonds of up to $20,000 from tourist and business visa…
The Story in Brief
The US State Department has made a visa bond programme permanent for nationals of 50 countries, allowing consular officers to demand refundable bonds of up to $20,000 from tourist and business visa applicants. The programme, piloted from August 2025, aims to address overstays and security concerns.
The US Travel Association warns that expanding the programme beyond these countries could discourage international visitors. Visa issuances from pilot countries dropped 83% in the first 10 months, while overstays fell from 45,488 in FY2024 to fewer than 50. International travel to the US has already declined, with Canadian arrivals down 25% and Asian travel at half of 2019 levels. The State Department can add countries with 15 days’ notice, and the industry wants policies that attract visitors ahead of major sporting events.
The Indian Opinion
The narrative that the US is shutting its doors to global travellers is overblown. The visa bond programme covers only high-overstay countries that accounted for less than 2% of visitors. Its pilot success in slashing overstays is undeniable. The real worry is whether the administration will expand the list to major sources of tourists like India or China. Watch for the State Department’s next 15-day notice, the list of countries added will settle the debate.
Source: hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
