The United States will introduce a pilot program in two weeks that allows consular officers to require visa bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business travelers, according to a Federal Register notice released Monday.
🇺🇸 US Tourist Visa Changes at a Glance
| Key Change | Details |
|---|---|
| What’s New? | Up to $15,000 “security bond” required for some B-1/B-2 visas (pilot program) |
| Who’s Affected? | Applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates (expected: Pakistan and others) |
| Fee Increases | $250 non-refundable “Visa Integrity Fee” for all nonimmigrant visas |
| When Effective? | Bond from August 20, 2025; Integrity fee from October 1, 2024 (FY 2025) |
| Refund Policy | Bond is refunded if all visa rules followed and traveler departs on time |
| Reason | Discourage overstays and strengthen US border security |
| Official Links | Visa Bond News | Visa Fees |
What’s Changing for US Tourist Visas?
The United States has announced two major new visa requirements likely to impact Pakistani travelers and others from countries outside the visa waiver program.
1. Visa Security Bond — Up to $15,000
Starting August 20, 2025, select applicants for B-1/B-2 (tourist/business) visas may be required to post a security bond between $5,000 and $15,000. This is part of a one-year pilot program focused on travelers from countries with higher rates of visa overstays, which commonly includes Pakistan.[Visa Bond News]
- Purpose: To discourage overstays and ensure compliance with visa terms.
- How it works: The bond amount is set by the consular officer based on background and travel risk. The money is refundable only if you leave the US before your visa expires and obey all visa rules. If you overstay or violate terms, the US government will keep the bond.
- Who’s impacted: The official list currently includes countries like Malawi and Zambia, but more are expected as the pilot rolls out and the US tracks overstay statistics. Pakistan is frequently listed in federal overstay data, so travelers should follow announcements.
2. $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” for All Nonimmigrant Visas
Effective October 1, 2024 (the start of US Fiscal Year 2025), everyone applying for a nonimmigrant visa—including tourists, students, and workers—must pay a one-time, non-refundable $250 “visa integrity fee.” [Visa Fees]
- This is in addition to the regular visa application fee (currently $185).
- Refunds: Not normally provided, except in rare cases. Unlike the bond, this fee is not returned even if your visa is denied or unused.
- Impact: Family, group, student, and work visa applications will all be billed per person, making US trips substantially more expensive.
Why Is the US Government Doing This?
US officials explain that these changes target visa overstays and aim to push “higher-risk” countries to screen travelers more carefully and help curb the misuse of tourist and business visas. The new bond and integrity fee are designed to make travelers think twice before engaging in unauthorized work, overstaying, or violating their visa status.
What Does This Mean for Pakistanis?
- Higher Upfront Costs: Plan to pay $185 (application) + $250 (integrity fee) + up to $15,000 (security bond, if required).
- Refund Risk: Only the $15,000 bond is refundable—and only if all rules are obeyed.
- Complex Requirements: Visa officers have more discretion; you must thoroughly prepare accurate, honest, and complete applications.
- Longer and Unpredictable Procedures: Demand for appointments, extra paperwork, and refunds will likely slow the process further.
- Future Expansion Possible: The list of countries covered by the pilot may expand as US authorities monitor overstay statistics.
Practical Tips
- Apply as early as possible: Processing and refund requests will take more time.
- Know the rules: Familiarize yourself with all US visa regulations and exit before your visa expires.
- Maintain records: Keep copies of all correspondence and payment receipts for bond refunds.
- Use official sources: Only submit applications and fee payments through the official US embassy, consulate, or travel.state.gov site.
Official Resources
- US State Department Visa Bond Pilot Info
- Updated Visa Fees and Integrity Fee
- Find US Embassies and Consulates in Pakistan
Bottom Line:
Traveling to the US as a tourist or on business is about to get more expensive and complicated for Pakistanis and many others. The combination of new fees and refundable bonds means you should apply early, follow all rules closely, and budget for extra costs. Always check official US government updates for the latest requirements before making plans.
