U.S. proposes $15,000 bond for some visa applicants to cut visa overstay costs.

The U.S. State Department has proposed a new rule requiring some visa applicants, from countries with weak passport security or high visa overstay rates, to pay a refundable deposit of up to $15,000 before entering the U.S. for business or tourism. This 12-month test program, announced on August 5, aims to protect the government from financial losses due to visa violations. The bond does not apply to travelers from the Visa Waiver Program.