Overview

• The 12-month pilot program, effective 15 days after its Federal Register publication, targets both business and tourist visas for nationals deemed high-risk for overstaying or lacking sufficient verification data.
• Consular officers will decide which applicants face the bond requirement, which can reach up to $15,000.
• State Department data show roughly 500,000 visa overstays in fiscal year 2023, underpinning the new measure.
• Separately, the administration has suspended visa issuance for nationals of Burundi following repeated violations.
• Officials say the steps reinforce President Trump’s broader push for tougher immigration enforcement and national security protections.