Overview

• The Department of State’s 12-month pilot starts Aug. 20, allowing consular officers to require refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 from B-1/B-2 visa applicants.
• The pilot targets applicants from countries identified as having high unauthorized-stay rates, weak identity or document controls, or citizenship-by-investment schemes.
• Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries are exempt, and bonds can be waived or refunded in full if applicants depart within the terms of their visas.
• Congress approved a $250 Integrity Fee in July, raising nonimmigrant visa application costs to $435 per B-1/B-2 application starting Oct. 1.
• Pandemic-era backlogs have extended consular interview waits in Mexico to between 200 and over 600 days.