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Trump administration unveils plan to charge some visitors visa security deposit of up to $15,000 - EURONEWS
In the latest in a series of anti-immigration policies, the Trump administration has announced a pilot measure to require some visa applicants to put down a $15,000 (€12,901) deposit.
The decision, published in the Federal Register on Tuesday, will be tested for a year starting 20 August and aims to ensure that visitors adhere to the legally prescribed length of stay.
According to the US State Department, the bond will only be refunded after the visa holder leaves the US and their visa expires.
Travellers head to the security checkpoint at Denver International Airport. David Zalubowski/ AP
The US State Department has said the pilot will so far include Zambia and Malawi. It has made it clear that the measure will apply to "nationals of countries with high overstay rates" or those that raise suspicions due to the lack of reliable monitoring systems.
Tougher measures against African countries
According to US administration figures, more than 500,000 people overstayed their visas in 2023.
In the context of tightening visa requirements, Trump has announced decisions in recent months that have particularly targeted a number of African countries.
The measure comes as the US, along with Canada and Mexico, prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in the summer of 2026, followed by the Olympic Games in San Francisco in 2028.
The decision has sparked concern on social media about the ability of athletes, especially from Africa, to participate in these major events.
Around forty countries, mostly European, still benefit from the Visa Waiver Programme, which allows their nationals to stay in the US for up to 90 days without the need for a visa. There are no African countries on the list, while Qatar is the only Middle Eastern country included in the programme.
