U.S. May Require $15,000 Bond for Certain B1/B2 Visa Applicants

According to a report by CNN on Monday, the U.S. State Department is considering imposing a $15,000 bond on applicants for tourist and business visas (B1/B2) from certain countries. CNN says the official document could be released as early as Tuesday, with the measure set to take effect 15 days after publication.

So far, no official list of the affected countries has been disclosed. However, CNN notes that Washington has already imposed restrictions on several nations, including Haiti, whose citizens are currently ineligible for B1/B2 visas.

The measure, presented as a way to deter visa overstays, is already drawing criticism from observers who see it as yet another barrier to international mobility and a further tightening of U.S. entry requirements.