US to Tighten Entry for Foreigners – What Israelis Need to Know

The US State Department plans to make permanent a visa bond program for citizens of 50 countries, mostly African. A bond of up to $20,000 will be required for nonimmigrant B1 and B2 visas. Changes take effect August 3. The pilot with bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 is canceled, and the $5,000 minimum is removed. Funds are returned after leaving the US. Opponents warn of closing opportunities for low-income people.

The US State Department intends to make permanent a visa bond program under which citizens of certain countries will have to deposit up to $20,000 before receiving entry permission. The new rule applies to applicants from 50 countries, mostly in Africa. It concerns nonimmigrant visas of categories B1 and B2, intended for business and tourist trips. The changes are to take effect on August 3. The bond amount will be determined by a consular officer when reviewing a specific application. Paying the money does not replace the standard visa fee and does not guarantee automatic visa approval. The funds should be returned after the traveler leaves the United States within the allowed period and meets other conditions of stay. In case of visa violations, the applicant may lose the deposited amount. The program covers, among others, citizens of Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burundi, Cambodia, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Fiji, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, Mongolia, Malawi, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Uganda, and Venezuela. Previously, the US had a pilot version of the program that allowed setting a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The new rules cancel the $5,000 minimum and increase the maximum to $20,000. The State Department believes that the financial guarantee helps reduce the number of foreigners who stay in the country after their authorized period expires. The decision to include a state in the program is made based on visa violation rates. Opponents of the initiative warn that a bond of tens of thousands of dollars will effectively close the possibility of legal travel to the US for people with low incomes. They also fear that the new requirements will hit citizens of poor countries hardest. The program is part of a tightening of American immigration policy. The administration of Donald Trump has previously strengthened checks on applicants, expanded scrutiny of their social media activity, and increased costs associated with processing certain visa categories.