{ "success": true, "data": { "id": 1896678, "msgid": "new-us-visa-rule-requires-applicants-to-post-rp360-million-bond-1785732709", "date": "2026-08-03 11:15:10", "title": "New US Visa Rule Requires Applicants to Post Rp360 Million Bond", "author": "", "source": "CNBC", "tags": "", "topic": "Politics", "summary": "The United States has made a visa bond programme permanent for applicants from 50 countries, requiring some to deposit up to US$20,000. The policy, aimed at reducing visa overstays, applies to B1 and B2 visas but excludes Indonesia. Critics argue the measure unfairly restricts legitimate travel and could encourage racial profiling.", "content": "

The United States government has officially made its visa bond\nprogramme a permanent requirement for certain visa applicants from 50\ncountries. Under the new policy, applicants may be required to deposit a\nbond of up to US20,\u2006000,\u2006o<\/em>r<\/em>a<\/em>r<\/em>o<\/em>u<\/em>n<\/em>d<\/em>R<\/em>p<\/em>361.7m<\/em>i<\/em>l<\/em>l<\/em>i<\/em>o<\/em>n<\/em>(a<\/em>t<\/em>a<\/em>n<\/em>e<\/em>x<\/em>c<\/em>h<\/em>a<\/em>n<\/em>g<\/em>e<\/em>r<\/em>a<\/em>t<\/em>e<\/em>o<\/em>f<\/em>R<\/em>p<\/em>18,\u2006087\/U<\/em>S<\/em><\/span>),\nbefore their visa is issued.<\/p>\n

The rule applies to B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas. According\nto a notice published in the Federal Register, the decision on the bond\namount will be determined by consular officers when processing visa\napplications.<\/p>\n

\u201cConsular officers may require visa applicants covered by this rule\nto deposit a bond of up to US$20,000 as a condition of visa issuance,\u201d\nthe notice stated, as quoted by Reuters on Monday (3\/8\/2026).<\/p>\n

The US Department of State said the policy was adopted after the 2025\nvisa bond pilot programme was deemed to have provided sufficient data to\nprove that the system was effective in improving visa holders\u2019\ncompliance with immigration rules.<\/p>\n

Under the previous pilot programme, consular officers could only\nrequest bonds of US$5,000, US$10,000, or a maximum of US$15,000. The\npermanent rule removes the US$5,000 option and raises the maximum cap to\nUS$20,000.<\/p>\n

The final rule took effect on 3 August, coinciding with its\npublication in the Federal Register. Of the 50 countries covered by the\npolicy, around 30 are from Africa. Indonesia is not included on the\nlist.<\/p>\n

The US government said the policy aims to reduce the number of visa\nholders who remain in the country after their visa expires (visa\noverstay). However, immigration advocacy groups believe the policy could\ndeter people with legitimate reasons to travel to the United States.<\/p>\n

A number of human rights organisations have also criticised President\nDonald Trump\u2019s immigration policies. They argue that the tightening\ncarried out by the government could violate freedom of speech and the\nright to due process, while creating an unsafe environment for ethnic\nminority groups and increasing racial profiling practices.<\/p>\n

Trump defended the policy on the grounds of strengthening national\nsecurity. Although he has repeatedly stated his intention to curb\nillegal immigration, the Trump administration is also seen as tightening\nlegal immigration channels.<\/p>\n

In addition to raising fees for several visa categories, the US\ngovernment has introduced social media screening for certain visa\napplicants as well as immigrants already in the United States.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/new-us-visa-rule-requires-applicants-to-post-rp360-million-bond-1785732709", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }