Beginning August 20, the U.S. will pilot a new visa program. This new initiative would help address the growing issue of foreign visitors overstaying their visas. This new initiative will be offered for one year only. This will give US consular officers broader discretion to require bonds from visa applicants from countries that disproportionately overstay their visas to the US.
Wholly under this new program, applicants residing in identified countries will be eligible for bond amounts of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Nonetheless, it is expected that consular officers will mostly need to be able to require bonds starting at $10,000. This new provision fits in the Trump administration’s broader crusade to reduce immigration and increase national security.
Targeting High Overstay Countries
The program is limited to visitors from countries with a record of high rates of visa overstays. Countries like Burundi, Djibouti and Togo have received particular attention for high rates of overstay. The US Department of State’s proposal emphasizes that this initiative “would serve as a critical diplomatic tool to compel other countries to address overstays by their nationals and to address deficiencies in their identity verification standards.”
Their announcement to deposit these bonds conjures up images of the Trump administration’s war on immigrants and migrants. The President’s last travel ban prevented individuals from entering the U.S. from 12 countries. Civil rights advocates besides harming our national security, this measure has a disproportionate impact on people from the Middle East and Africa. Among the countries touched by this travel ban are Chad, Eritrea, Haiti, Myanmar, and Yemen.
This move is seen as part of a wider strategy to maintain stringent immigration controls while ensuring that visitors comply with visa terms. Further, its intended purpose is to hold accountable those from countries with overall low travel volume to the U.S.
Declining Visitor Numbers
New info paints a pretty grim picture of international visitation to the United States. In March, the UK experienced an 11.6% decrease in international travelers. Of those, Australian travelers were responsible for a 7% increase in the drop. This current slump gets at the issue of what an increase in visa bond requirements would mean for future travel demand.
The US Travel Association noted that the countries affected by the new policy are typically those with lower travel volumes to the United States. This fourth factor could deepen the challenge all of these countries are already having in sending their residents to visit America.
The bonding requirement goes beyond this initiative. In fact, they’ll get their money returned when they exit the United States, assuming they abide by the terms of their visas.
Guidance for Travelers
Given these new developments, US Department of State is encouraging American travelers to keep track of changing entry requirements. This recommendation is critically important for Australians. They recommend that individuals “check US entry, registration, transit and exit requirements.” This guidance is particularly critical for any future visitors to the United States. If you’re traveling on a visa or through the Visa Waiver Program, this one’s for you!
The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) encourages best practice advice to travelers. They urge you to “practice common sense safety precautions” and to read and understand all applicable rules and terms and conditions before attempting to enter the United States.
“Whether you’re travelling on a visa or under the Visa Waiver Program, ensure you understand all relevant terms and conditions before attempting to enter the United States.” – Australian Department of Foreign Affairs
