The United States government has announced a new pilot program that will take effect on August 20, 2025. Under this measure, select travelers may be required to post a security deposit of up to $15.000. This program will target visa holders from countries considered to be at high risk of overstaying their visas. The goal of the measure is to promote visa compliance.
The selection of the affected countries is based on the so-called “Overstay Report” of the US Department of Homeland SecurityThis report for 2023 identified countries such as Chad, Laos, and Haiti with particularly high rates of visa overstays. In absolute terms, the most overstays came from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Haiti, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. The specific list of affected countries is to be published by the Commission no later than 15 days before the start of the program. State Department to be published.
The amount of the bail is determined individually and can be $5.000, $10.000, or $15.000. Consular officers determine the amount based on personal criteria such as the purpose of the trip, income, occupation, and education of the applicant. Applicants are also required to enter and exit the United States only through designated points of entry. The pilot program, limited to twelve months, is intended to initially test the administrative and technical feasibility of the bail.
The US government's move has met with mixed reactions. While supporters see the measure as a necessary tool to secure entry procedures, human rights organizations criticize the bail as discriminatory and impractical for many travelers from low-income countries. Estimates suggest that approximately one to two percent of non-immigrant travelers overstay their visas each year, but they make up the majority of the population living illegally in the US. The pilot program is initially expected to affect only around 2.000 people.