USA to introduce visa bond of $15,000 for tourists from certain countries

Over 72 million international tourists visited the United States in 2024, and that number is expected to increase this year and in the coming years. The U.S. recently hosted one of the biggest football tournaments, the FIFA Club World Cup, where 32 teams from across the world participated. Additionally, the U.S. is set to co-host the FIFA World Cup in 2026 alongside Canada and Mexico. With year-on-year tourist growth around 9%, experts predict that this major sporting event could boost that number by approximately 20%.

However, this projection may be affected by a new immigration policy. The Trump administration has launched a pilot program requiring certain visitors to pay a visa bond of $15,000 before obtaining a U.S. visa. Applicants for a B1/B2 visa are now required to deposit this amount, which does not guarantee visa approval. If the visa is denied, the bond will be refunded.

As of August 2025, this policy has been implemented for two African nations — Zambia and Malawi — and the administration has announced plans to expand it to more countries. The stated purpose of the policy is to reduce visa overstays and prevent misuse of tourist visas. If an applicant is denied entry at a U.S. port of entry despite holding a visa, or if the visa application is unsuccessful, the bond will be automatically refunded.

In addition to this, the administration is also planning to introduce a $250 “visa integrity fee”, to be paid after visa approval.

These added financial barriers could deter international tourists from visiting the United States. With such strict policies, many travelers may reconsider their recreational trips to the U.S., potentially leading to a decline in tourism rather than the projected growth.