PH Travellers Safe from New US Visa Bond Rule

Thinking of flying to the US soon? Filipino travellers can breathe easy! A new visa bond rule requiring up to $15,000 (or over ₱862,000) won’t apply to applicants from the Philippines.

From 20 August, the US will start a one-year test programme for visitors from Zambia and Malawi who are applying for business or tourist visas. These travellers will have to pay a bond that they can get back if they follow all visa rules.

The rule is aimed at countries with high rates of visa overstays. It also includes nations that give citizenship without requiring residency, or where the US says screening and background checks are not strong enough.

Travellers from Mexico, Canada and over 40 countries in the US Visa Waiver Programme are not part of the rule. The US says the bond is to make sure the government is not financially responsible if visitors break their visa terms.

Also read: US Visa Renewal For Filipino Tourists in 2025

Although visa bonds have been suggested before, this is the first time the US is putting the plan into action. In the past, it was not used because it was seen as complicated and could be misunderstood by the public.

For Filipino travellers, this is welcome news. You can still apply for a US tourist visa or US business visa without worrying about a massive $15,000 (₱862,000) bond. The new US visa bond rule targets only certain countries, which means Philippine passport holders can continue planning their American trips without extra costs. Whether you are eyeing a holiday in New York, Los Angeles or Hawaii, or visiting family in California, you can focus your budget on flights, hotels and attractions instead of unexpected visa fees.

Also read: US Visa vs Schengen Visa: Which One Should Pinoys Do First?

It is still important to follow all US visa rules to keep the Philippines off the list of countries facing stricter requirements. Overstaying your US visa can affect not only your future travel but also the reputation of Filipino travellers as a whole. By respecting entry dates, sticking to permitted activities and having complete travel documents, you help ensure that Filipinos remain exempt from additional US travel restrictions. For now, this means more freedom to explore the United States, from the bright lights of Las Vegas to the theme parks of Orlando, without a costly visa bond standing in your way.

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