Will non-immigrant Indians be asked to shell out $15,000 for US tourist and business visas?

People visiting the United States could soon be asked to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000, as per the US State Department. 

This is a part of a pilot programme that is aimed at reducing visa overstays in the country. As per the programme, people visiting the country for tourist visas (B1 visas) and business visas(B2 visas) could be asked to cough up to $15,000 as visa bonds. 

The countries that would come under the purview of the programme have not been announced yet. The public notice states that over the years, it has been found that hundreds of thousands of non-immigrant visitors do not depart the US promptly and overstay their visas.

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What is the new visa programme?

According to Reuters, the new visa program is expected to be effective from August 20 and will last for approximately a year. Consular officers will be given the discretionary powers to impose bonds in three categories of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 on the visa applicants, as per a US Federal Register notice. 

As and when the travellers depart the country, by the terms of their visas, the funds will be returned to them, officials informed. 

Who is likely to be affected?

Countries with 'high visa overstay rates' and countries where screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient are likely to be affected. 

Additionally, applicants whose citizenship can be acquired by investment without a residency requirement may also be affected. Foreign policy considerations, too, will play a role, as per a State Department spokesperson. 

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