- The US State Department is proposing a significant new requirement for certain business and tourist visa applicants.
- This involves a potential bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, which could render the process unaffordable for many prospective visitors.
- A 12-month pilot programme will target individuals from nations identified as having high visa overstay rates or deficient internal document security controls.
- Applicants from these countries may be compelled to post bonds of 5,000,5,000,10,000, or $15,000 when applying for a visa.
- The initiative aims to shield the US government from financial liability should a visitor fail to adhere to their visa terms, with specific countries to be listed once the programme begins.
IN FULL
State Department could soon ask visa applicants to pay up to $15,000 to enter the US
