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

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.

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.

The idea of requiring visa bonds has been brought up before, but it was never put into action. In the past, the US government avoided pushing through with it due to concerns over the complexity of the process and the risk that people would misunderstand its purpose. This time, though, officials insist it’s needed to improve screening and make sure visitors follow visa rules.

A preview of the official notice published on the Federal Register website on Monday said the pilot programme would begin within 15 days of its formal release. The bond, it said, is intended to protect the US government from financial responsibility if a traveller breaks the terms of their visa.

“Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure and who are nationals of countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering citizenship by investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program,” the notice said.

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.

Also read: PH Travellers Safe From New US Visa Bond Rule

Luckily, Filipinos are exempted from this new US visa bond rule and can still enjoy planning a US trip without the extra hassle or cost! So, pack your bags, dust off that dream itinerary, and keep adding to your US travel bucket list inspired by your favourite romcoms. You can stroll through Central Park like in Serendipity, chase sunsets in San Francisco like in The Princess Diaries, or road trip down Route 66 for that ultimate American adventure!