The US State Department is implementing a new policy requiring travelers from countries with high visa overstays to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for entry. The pilot program, launching August 20, affects B-1 and B-2 visas and initially targets visitors from Zambia and Malawi. Citizens from Mexico, Canada, and the 40 countries in the Visa Waiver Program are exempt. Visa bonds aim to ensure compliance with visa conditions, particularly length of stay, amid a growing number of undocumented migrants, with 40 percent being overstayers.
The US State Department has announced it will require travellers from certain countries to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the United States. This pilot programme targets B-1 business and B-2 tourism visas, starting August 20, focusing on countries with historically high visa overstays.
Visitors from Zambia and Malawi will be the first to be affected under the new policy, which excludes citizens from Mexico, Canada, and the 40 countries in the Visa Waiver Program.
A visa bond acts as a financial guarantee to ensure that visitors adhere to the terms of their visa, particularly regarding their length of stay.
Each year, the US grants thousands of temporary visas to foreign nationals, but those who overstay face scrutiny under this new policy aimed at addressing immigration concerns.
Collection
[
|
...
]