08/07/2025

New Visa Bond Pilot and Fee Could Impact International Attendees

If the traveler complies with visa terms, the bond will be returned

The U.S. State Department announced this week it will launch a 12-month visa bond pilot program on August 20, 2025, that could affect some international attendees traveling to U.S.-based meetings and events.

Under the program, certain applicants for B1/B2 visitor visas from countries with high visa overstay rates (10 percent or more) may be required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, at the discretion of consular officers. If the traveler complies with visa terms, the bond will be returned.

Key Details:

• Pilot Dates: August 20, 2025 – August 5, 2026
• Scope: Estimated 2,000 applicants
• Affected Countries: To be announced and updated as needed
• Background: A similar pilot was authorized in 2020 but paused due to COVID-19

Why it matters: While limited in scope, this pilot is part of a trend toward more restrictive visa policies.

Administration officials have also recently enacted $250 “Visa Integrity Fee” that would apply to all non-immigrant visa applicants. If implemented, it would make U.S. visa costs among the highest in the world.

What's next: ASAE is monitoring this issue along with groups like U.S. Travel and Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) and will continue advocating for policies that keep the U.S. competitive as a destination for international events.

“While the scope of the visa bond pilot program is limited, it is critical that the administration embraces policies that make it easier for international exhibitors and attendees to attend association events in the U.S.,” said Tommy Goodwin, MBA, FASAE, CAE, PMP, CMP, ECA's executive vice president.

This article was provided to OSAP by ASAE's Power of Associations and Inroads.