| Photo by Jorge Flores on Unsplash
NEW YORK – To deter visa overstays and encourage better screening by foreign governments, the U.S. State Department has launched a new visa bond pilot program, effective August 20, 2025, targeting certain B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist visa applicants.
The bond amounts $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on the applicant’s assessed risk for a 12-month pilot program ending August 6, 2026. If the visa complies with visa terms and departs on time, the bond is refunded.
Targeted countries are those with high-visa overstay rates or weak identity verification systems. Initial countries include Malawi and Zambia, but more may be added. Visitors from Visa Waiver Program countries, Canada, and Mexico are not affected. About 2,000 applicants are expected during the pilot program.
Travelers must enter and exit through designated airports (currently Boston, JFK, and Washington Dulles. Visa holders must complete Form 1-352 and pay via Pay.Gov.
Critics argue it could discourage tourism, especially from low-income countries. Immigration advocates warn of economic barriers and administrative complexity. The program revives a similar initiative from Trump’s first term, paused due to COVID-19.
Currently, Filipino applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas do not need to post a bond. The usual procedures at the U.S. Embassy in Manila remain unchanged. The Philippines has a relatively low visa overstay rate – just 3.11% in 2023, compared to Malawi (14.7%) and Zambia (11.1%).
However, the U.S. State Department can add countries to the bond list with just 15 days’ notice. Inclusion could happen if overstay rates rise or if vetting systems are deemed insufficient. Filipino entrepreneurs attending conferences, trade missions, or investment meetings in the U.S. should closely monitor updates, especially if traveling on short-term B-1 visas.
