Mapaballo Borotho

- The Trump administration will require some foreign visitors to the U.S. to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to prevent visa overstays.
- Those who comply with visa rules will get their money back, while overstayers will forfeit the bond.
- A one-year pilot program will target travelers from countries with high overstay rates.
The Donald Trump administration has announced a new policy requiring certain foreign nationals visiting the United States to pay bond fees of up to US$15,000 during their stay.
The initiative, confirmed by The New York Times on Monday, 4 August 2025, forms part of a broader effort to curb illegal immigration and ensure visitors comply with their visa conditions.
Under the policy, visitors who adhere to their visa terms will receive a full refund of the bond, while those who overstay will forfeit the money.
The U.S. State Department is preparing to launch a one-year pilot program targeting travelers from countries identified as having high rates of visa overstays and weak internal document security.
While the notice did not disclose which countries would be included, the Department of Homeland Security will base its selection on official visa overstay data.
Citizens of the 42 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows travel for up to 90 days for business or tourism, will be exempt from the bond requirement.
Most of these exempted nations are located in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
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