What do we know so far

The United States launches a pilot program that may require incoming travelers to pay bonds up to $ 15,000.

The 12-month program is partly for visitors from countries with historically high visa rates, according to unpublished temporary final rule Posted in the Federal Register on Tuesday.

This is the last step of the Trump administration to strengthen the immigration laws in the US after A Travel ban on citizens from 12 countries In June and Ad “Visa Legority” announcement of $ 250 In July.

Here’s what we know about the bond program based on the Federal Register notice:

Who will have to pay?

The program concerns the rest and business travelers in need Visas B-1 or B-2 To enter the US and who comes from the countries:

• having high visa rates,
• where the survey and checking information is considered insufficient or
• which offer citizenship on investment without living.

What are the countries?

The US State Department intends to announce the list of countries today.

Betting rates will be based on the 2023 Internal Security Department Login/departure from the Overstay report. This report, published on August 5, 2024, shows high -rate countries, include Chad (50%), Laos (35%) and Haiti (31%).

However, countries with the highest number are Mexico (approximately 49,000), Brazil (21,000), Colombia (41,000), Haiti (27,000), Venezuela (22,000) and Dominican (20,000).

How many people will have to pay?

Not much.

The State Department said that about 2000 people will send visa bonds during the pilot program, given the number of people who have qualifications to obtain visas and “uncertainty” related to the number of people who can pay it.

How much do bonds cost?

There are three bond levels: $ 5,000, $ 10,000 and $ 15,000.

Bond amounts on the discretion of consular officers provided the guidelines. The amounts will be based on the “personal circumstances of travelers”, including their cause of travel, employment, income, skills and education.

Travelers who have to pay a visa bond must enter and leave the US through certain entry ports that will be announced at a later date.

Why is the pilot program instead of a blanket?

The purpose of the 12-month pilot is at least twice, the US State Department reports.

First of all, it is aimed at access to the feasibility of processing and unloading bonds that the government was previously considered “bulky”. But it will also help to find out whether the bonds make the visa conditions.

The government’s message, however, also states that the pilot program is a “diplomacy tool” aimed at stimulating foreign governments to reduce the speed of exceeding their citizens and improve their checks and checks.

Notable that The pilot program provides more information than a blanket of $ 250 “Payment for Visa integrity“It was announced in July, including when it starts as it will be implemented, and the processes to place and return the bond sum.

How many US visitors exceed their visas?

Only 1% -2% of the Nemigrant Visitors exceeded their visas Every year From 2016 to 2022, According to the US Congressional Research Service.

However, 42% of the 11 million people living in the United States have entered the real visas, but then never left, show data.

In 2019, the Homeland Security Department estimated that more than 320,000 people exceeded the visas, although this includes travelers who have eventually left the country, the State Department’s bond reports.

– Caela Ling in CNBC contributed to the story.