State Department requires $20,000 bond for some tourist and business visa applicants

The U.S. State Department has finalized a rule requiring some tourist and business visa applicants to pay a refundable bond of up to $20,000. The policy, which follows a 50-country pilot program, is expected to further harm the U.S. tourism industry, which has already lost billions due to Trump administration policies that have also hurt university enrollment and raised consumer prices.

Visa bond requirements

• ▪Some of the affected visas last for 10 years, meaning holders would not receive their bond money back for a decade.
• ▪The bond is designed to be paid back when the visitor's B1 or B2 visa expires.
• ▪The U.S. State Department requires some tourist and business visa applicants from a select list of countries to pay a bond of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000.
• ▪A pilot program for the visa bonds was introduced in 2025 and affected 50 countries.

World Cup attendance impact

• ▪The Trump administration suspended the visa bonds for anyone with a World Cup ticket during the summer 2026 tournament.
• ▪Despite the bond suspension, many fans, including players' relatives, could not attend the 2026 World Cup due to a separate travel ban and other visa restrictions.

Tourism industry decline

• ▪Trump administration immigration policies have already cost the U.S. billions of dollars in tourism.
• ▪The visa bond policy is expected to further harm the U.S. tourism industry, which is already struggling due to Trump administration policies.

Economic consequences

• ▪U.S. visa policies have hurt international student enrollment, leading to a drop in revenue for universities and colleges.
• ▪Trump administration immigration policies have caused the prices of goods and services to increase for Americans.

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