The U.S. State Department has announced a new visa bond program that will begin on August 20. Under this program, certain visitors, including some Canadian permanent residents, may be required to pay a bond of up to $15,000 to enter the United States. This initiative is part of the Trump administration's efforts to address illegal immigration and follows the introduction of a $250 visa integrity fee in June.

A visa bond is a monetary requirement that visitors must pay when applying for a visa. This amount is refundable once the individual returns to their home country, becomes a U.S. citizen, or passes away. The bond applies specifically to those seeking a business visa (B-1) or a tourism visa (B-2). Visitors who need to pay a bond must enter the U.S. through one of three designated airports: Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, or Washington Dulles International Airport.

The program will operate as a pilot for one year, starting August 20. However, the rules will continue to apply to individuals who have already paid the bond until they return home, gain U.S. citizenship, or die. It is important to note that paying the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. If an applicant pays the bond without being instructed by the consular office, that payment will not be refunded, according to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs.

Visa bond amounts will range from $5,000 to $15,000, determined at the discretion of consular officers. The amount will depend on the officers' assessment of how likely the visitor is to comply with their visa conditions and not overstay their allowed time in the U.S.

As of August 5, the U.S. has published its first list of countries subject to the visa bond requirement, which currently includes only Malawi and Zambia. Countries can be added or removed from this list with a 15-day notice. Notably, the bond will not apply to countries in the Visa Waiver Program, which includes 42 nations across Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Middle East.

While Canadians are generally not affected by this new policy since they do not require visas to enter the U.S., Canadian permanent residents from countries not included in the Visa Waiver Program will need visas to visit the U.S. If a Canadian permanent resident holds a passport from a country on the visa bond list, they will be required to pay the bond during their visa interview.