Citizens from 50 mainly African countries affected; lower bond tier removed
The U.S. State Department is making permanent a pilot program that requires travelers from 50 countries, mainly in Africa, to post bonds when applying for U.S. visas, and is raising the maximum bond to $20,000, according to a draft Federal Register notice published Friday.
A draft notice in the Federal Register says a nearly year-long review “provided sufficient data” to suggest the bond program effectively enforces compliance with visa conditions, and would be made permanent. The notice is to be formally released on Monday, the same day the program becomes permanent.
The pilot program had set a maximum bond of $15,000, with lower amounts of $5,000 and $10,000 at a consular officer’s discretion. The final regulation raises the ceiling to $20,000 and removes the $5,000 low-end payment, leaving $10,000 as the minimum bond that officers may impose.
The State Department said additional countries may be added to the list, which currently includes citizens from 50 countries.