US Starts Visa Issuance Program Based on Bail

The United States is launching a pilot program that will grant visas based on a bail amount of $5,000 to $15,000 from each applicant, as a measure to ensure the further departure of foreigners from the US, according to a document released by the State Department.

Consular officials may require non-immigrant visa applicants to provide a bail as a condition for issuing a visa, which can be up to $15,000. This requirement could be imposed for B-1 and B-2 visas, which allow entry into the US for business or tourism purposes.

The program will apply to foreigners arriving from countries that, according to the State Department, have the highest rates of expired visas. However, the document does not list these countries.

The pilot program for issuing visas in exchange for bail is set to operate until August 2026. The exact amount of bail will be determined by the consular official, who may require $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 based on their review of the application.

“To comply with the conditions of the bail, it will be necessary to arrive in the United States and then depart by air from one of the previously selected airports under this pilot program,” the document states.