The US Will Soon Require Tourists to Pay Visa Bonds of Up to P860,000

Planning a stateside trip? You might need to set aside more for your visa.

Published on Aug 5, 2025

After introducing a new $250 “visa integrity fee” in July, the United States is now tightening its entry requirements even further. Starting August 20, the U.S. government will roll out a pilot program requiring some visitors to post a steep visa bond—potentially as high as $15,000, which is roughly P860,000.

The move is part of an ongoing effort to discourage tourists and business travelers from overstaying their visas. While the fee won’t apply to everyone, travelers from countries with high overstay rates may soon have to factor in this hefty deposit when planning a trip to the U.S.

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The United States to Require Tourists to Post Bonds Up to $15,000

According to Reuters, U.S. consular officers will now have the discretion to require visa applicants to pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on their country of origin. The 12-month pilot program will apply to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa holders and is aimed at cracking down on visa overstays—something the U.S. government says has become a growing problem.

A State Department spokesperson, according to Reuters, said that the policy targets countries with “high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, concerns regarding citizenship-by-investment programs, and other foreign policy considerations.” However, the department has yet to release a public list of which countries will be affected.

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The funds will be fully refundable if travelers leave the U.S. on time and comply with the terms of their visa. According to the Federal Register notice, consular officers are expected to set the bond amount at $10,000 in most cases unless there are specific reasons to raise or lower it.

A similar bond system was introduced in November 2020 under President Donald Trump's previous term, but it was never fully implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on global travel.

What Is a Bond?

If required, a visa bond functions like a security deposit. You pay a fixed amount up front, and it’s returned to you if you follow all the rules of your stay in the U.S.

The pilot program is designed to serve as both an immigration deterrent and a diplomatic message. According to Al Jazeera, the U.S. State Department said it hopes the policy will “encourage foreign governments to strengthen their own vetting processes” and reduce visa abuse.

While Filipino tourists are not explicitly named in the new policy, it’s worth noting that countries with historically high visa overstay rates—such as those in parts of Africa, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia—are likely to face closer scrutiny.

Also coming into effect on October 1 is the previously mentioned $250 “visa integrity fee,” passed by Congress as part of a broader spending package. According to the U.S. Travel Association, this new charge—combined with the pilot bond program—could make visiting the U.S. one of the most expensive visa processes in the world.

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PHOTO: Unsplash.

What Filipino Travelers Should Watch Out For

As of writing, the U.S. State Department has not confirmed whether the Philippines will be included in the list of countries affected by the bond requirement. However, visa applicants are advised to stay alert for updates from the U.S. Embassy in Manila and check the official travel.state.gov website before making travel plans.

With new fees and potential bonds now in the mix, the cost of visiting the U.S. may soon go well beyond airfare and accommodation. If you're planning to visit family or take a long-awaited vacation, it’s best to prepare early and stay informed.

Kat is Preview's Lifestyle Editor, explorer, and occasional rhymer. When not globe-trotting, she's over her computer, writing her next big novel.