The United States State Department is expanding its visa bond programme to 50 countries, including Papua New Guinea, requiring some travelers to pay up to US$15,000 before receiving short-term visas.
The new measure will take effect on 02 April, applying to B1 and B2 visas for business and tourism.
“The State Department is expanding its visa bond programme to apply to a total of 50 countries on 02 April and will require foreign nationals from these countries to post a bond of up to US$15,000 before receiving B1 or B2 visas for business and tourism in the United States.”
Under the policy, the bond will be refunded if travelers comply with visa conditions and leave the country on time.
“The bond will be returned to visa recipients who return home in compliance with the terms of the visa and the bond or does not travel.”
The State Department said the programme is aimed at reducing visa overstays.
“Nearly 1,000 foreigners have been issued visas under the programme, and 97 percent of bonded travelers have returned home from the United States on time.”
Officials said overstays remain a concern, citing tens of thousands of cases in previous years.
“By contrast, in Biden’s last year in office, more than 44,000 visitors from the 50 current Visa Bonds countries overstayed.”
The expansion adds 12 new countries, including Papua New Guinea, bringing the total to 50 nations subject to the requirement.
“The State Department’s 02 April action will apply the visa bond policy to 12 additional nations.”
The programme allows consular officers to determine the bond amount, which can range from US$5,000 to US$15,000 depending on the applicant’s risk profile.
The State Department in a statement said the policy also reduces costs for U.S taxpayers.
“It costs the U.S taxpayer over US$18,000 on average to remove an alien illegally present in the United States.”
“The Department of State is saving U.S taxpayers up to US$800 million per year that would otherwise be required to remove these aliens who overstay.”
Officials say the list of countries could be expanded further.
“The Department may continue to place Visa Bonds on countries based on a range of immigration risk factors.”
Countries newly added to the programme include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles and Tunisia.
The visa bond system is part of broader U.S efforts to tighten immigration controls and improve compliance with visa conditions.
