New Delhi: In a move that could heavily impact Indian travellers, the United States is proposing a hefty visa bond of up to $15,000 (₹12.5 lakh approx.) for business and tourist visa applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates—potentially including India.

The US State Department, under a new 12-month pilot program, said that travellers from certain countries may be asked to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 at the time of visa application. These bonds would act as a financial guarantee that the visitor will leave the US before their visa expires.

While the list of affected countries is yet to be released, India’s past visa overstay numbers and lack of a visa waiver agreement with the US could make Indian citizens eligible for this additional requirement.

“Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure... may be subject to the pilot program,” the US notice states, highlighting criteria such as high overstay rates, poor vetting systems, or offering “citizenship by investment.”

What It Means for Indian Travellers:

Indian citizens applying for B1/B2 visas (business and tourist) could soon have to deposit thousands of dollars with the US government during the application process. The bond could be waived on a case-by-case basis, but the default assumption is that eligible applicants will have to pay. The change will not apply to citizens of countries in the US Visa Waiver Program, which excludes India.

This move comes as part of the Trump administration’s broader tightening of immigration and travel policies. Just last week, the State Department added an in-person interview requirement for many visa renewals and mandated that Diversity Visa Lottery applicants must hold valid passports from their home countries.

Alert for Indian Applicants:

The proposal could make US travel unaffordable for many Indians, especially those visiting family, attending conferences, or exploring tourism options. The bond notice was posted on the Federal Register website on Monday and will officially take effect 15 days after publication. Once implemented, visa bonds will be refunded if the traveller departs the US within the permitted timeframe.