- BIST10011,639-0.71%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,190.60+0.23%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,847+1.02%
- October 19, 202617°
- BIST10011,639-0.71%
- USD49.45+0.05%
- EUR55.62+0.37%
- GOLD4,190.60+0.23%
- INTEREST37.00%-1.00
- BITCOIN82,847+1.02%
- October 19, 202617°
US makes $20,000 visa bond permanent for 50 countries
The US State Department has made permanent a requirement for a deposit of up to $20,000 for business and tourist visa applications from citizens of 50 countries with the highest rates of visa overstays, effective August 3. The list includes many Muslim-majority nations such as Algeria, Tunisia, Bangladesh and Turkmenistan.
The US State Department has put into effect a new regulation aimed at reducing visa overstays. According to a statement dated July 31, the bond requirement for business and tourist visas for citizens of 50 countries became permanent as of August 3.
Under the rule, citizens of the designated countries must pay a bond of up to $20,000 when applying for visas. The exact amount for each application will be determined by the relevant consular officer.
Those who leave the US within the specified period or whose visas are denied will have their bond refunded. However, if a person violates the terms of stay, the bond will be forfeited.
The State Department's list includes countries whose citizens are said to most frequently violate visa rules. Among them are Algeria, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Uganda, Cambodia, Nepal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Russia is not on the list.
Under the previous pilot program, the bond amount ranged from $5,000 to $15,000. With the new regulation, the lower limit has been removed while the upper limit has been raised to $20,000. The Department stated that it found the results of the pilot program successful.
According to data from the Associated Press, in fiscal year 2024, citizens of these countries overstayed their visas in the US approximately 45,500 times. In the first 10 months of the pilot program, that number dropped below 50. During the same period, the number of visas issued to these countries fell by 83 percent.
Stay Updated with Hilal Times
Subscribe to be informed about special news, developments and announcements. We will keep you informed.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy
