“Pay Up!” New U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Could Cost Travelers Up to $15,000

US secretary of state Marco Rubio: his department described the program as a ‘tool of diplomacy”

This week, the U.S. is reviving a controversial visa bond policy first introduced in 2020—then paused during the pandemic. Now, it’s back. And it could cost travelers from countries like Haiti, India, and Nigeria up to $15,000 just to visit the United States.

The U.S. Will Now Require Up to $15,000 for Some Tourist and Business Visas

Starting August 20, 2025, the U.S. State Department will roll out a one-year pilot program requiring some B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants to post a refundable bond of $5,000 to $15,000. The goal? To reduce visa overstays. If visitors leave on time, they get their bond back. If they don’t, they forfeit it. As reported in the Financial Times, the U.S. State Department said the new visa bond scheme is a response to an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump on the day he returned to office in January, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion.”

This policy targets travelers from countries with “high overstay rates” or “citizenship by investment” arrangements—primarily in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, and South Asia. Anticipated countries include Haiti, Venezuela, India, Chad, and others. For Black and Brown travelers, this isn't just a policy shift—it’s a barrier to mobility, family reunification, and cross-cultural exchange. Many will now have to pay thousands upfront just to visit the U.S.—a country already grappling with low tourism numbers and a not-so-welcoming brand image.

What Is “Citizenship by Investment”?

Countries flagged in the bond program often allow foreigners to gain citizenship or residency by investing in the local economy (real estate, business, etc.). The U.S. sees this as a risk for “visa shopping,” adding them to the list of targeted nations.

This creates a double standard. Wealthy investors from the Global North routinely use similar routes for golden visas or tax haven citizenships without scrutiny. This policy disproportionately affects lower-income, Global South travelers, and reinforces long-standing inequities in international mobility.

U.S. Tourism Faces Record Lows—This Won’t Help

Tourism to the U.S. has seen record low numbers post-pandemic. Industry leaders have cited perceptions of unwelcomeness, safety concerns, and visa complications as major deterrents. This bond requirement adds yet another layer of difficulty.

Black and Brown travelers already face systemic challenges navigating global mobility. Imposing financial restrictions based on nationality contradicts the U.S. tourism industry's push for inclusivity and international visitors. This will likely discourage travel to the U.S. from diasporic communities and harm local economies that depend on cultural and family-based travel.

As travel becomes increasingly politicized, we’ll keep tracking the policies and power plays that impact how you get to move.