Planning to Visit the US? Visa Bond May Soon Cost Up to ₱862K

Filipinos and other travellers heading to the United States for business or tourism may soon need to pay a hefty visa bond of up to $15,000, or around ₱862,000, before they can even set foot in the country.

The US Department of State is proposing a one-year pilot programme that would require some visa applicants to post a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The move is aimed at discouraging overstaying and protecting the US government from costs if a visitor violates the terms of their visa.

Image credit: Renan Kamikoga | Unsplash

A preview of the official notice says the bond would apply to nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates, weak internal document security, or those that offer citizenship by investment without requiring actual residency. The list of affected countries will be released once the policy is formally published, which is expected to happen within 15 days.

This requirement would cover applicants for short-term B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. However, citizens of countries under the US Visa Waiver Program will not be affected. In some cases, the bond may also be waived depending on an individual’s circumstances.

Visa bonds have been suggested in the past but were never implemented. The US government had previously avoided them due to the complicated process and concerns that the public might misunderstand the policy. This time, however, officials say the bond is necessary to ensure better screening and visa compliance.

For many Filipino travellers, the added financial burden could make US travel less accessible, especially for those visiting family or attending events. Even if refundable, the upfront cost might still be too high for many to afford.

If you’re dreaming of that US trip, this could mean saving more, planning earlier, or even rethinking your travel goals. With costs possibly going up, now’s the time to explore other destinations or wait and see how this policy plays out.