Overview

• The State Department’s Federal Register notice on August 4 unveiled a 12-month pilot requiring B-1/B-2 visa applicants from countries with high overstay rates to post bonds between $5,000 and $15,000.
• The pilot is expected to affect roughly 2,000 applicants with an average bond of $10,000 refundable after travelers comply with their visa terms.
• Final regulations on eligible countries and the bond-refund process are still pending, and the department has warned that lying or submitting false documents can lead to permanent inadmissibility.
• A $250 “Integrity Fee” approved under recent legislation will raise the total tourist visa cost from $185 to $435 starting October 1, with annual inflation adjustments and exemptions for Visa Waiver Program nationals and diplomats.
• Consular interview wait times in Mexico span 200 to over 600 days, meaning applicants who begin their process this month could receive appointments well into mid-2026.