Some tourists could be required to post $15,000 bonds to enter the U.S.

Some tourists could be required to post $15,000 bonds to enter the U.S. A new pilot program could further damage the U.S.'s global reputation and its ability to attract tourists.

Aug. 5, 2025, 2:33 PM EDT

By Zeeshan Aleem

The Associated Press reports that the State Department is starting a 12-month pilot program, under which applicants for business and tourist visas from certain countries "could be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 when they apply for a visa." It's a terrible idea that could further accelerate the already sharp decline in tourism to the U.S. — and hurt an economy showing warning signs of a potential recession.

The signal is clear: the U.S. is making it less and less appealing for people to try to visit.

We don't know yet which countries the