$15,000 US visa bond: Philippines excluded (for now)

Visit visa applicants from Philippines are excluded — at least for now — from the list nationalities required to post US visa bond, a new scheme set to be applied on a pilot basis on two countries.

The Trump administration's move, which kicks in on August 20, is aimed at travellers from countries with high visa overstay rates.

As part of the programme, applicants are required to post bonds of up to $15,000 for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas.

Effective August 20, 2025, the 12-month initiative aims to deter overstays by requiring deposits of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, based on consular assessments.

The deposits are refundable.

The scheme initially applies to nationals from Malawi and Zambia, with the potential for expansion, but the Philippines is currently excluded due to its relatively low overstay rate.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s 2023 Overstay Report, of the 210,842 Philippine passport holders who visited the US, 6,564 overstayed, yielding a 3.11% overstay rate — significantly lower than countries like Malawi (14.3%) and Zambia (11.1%).

This low rate has spared the Philippines from the initial phase of the programme, though speculation arose due to historical overstay data.

The US State Department emphasizes the program as a diplomatic tool to encourage compliance with visa terms and enhance foreign governments’ vetting processes.

The bond requirement, detailed in the Federal Register, applies to travelers entering through designated airports like John F. Kennedy International.

Bonds are refunded if travelers depart on time, but forfeited for overstays or asylum applications.

Critics, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations, argue the policy may disproportionately burden low-income travellers, potentially discouraging lawful travel.

The US Travel Association estimates only 2,000 applicants will be affected, primarily from low-travel-volume countries.While Filipinos are exempt for now, the programme’s flexibility allows for future inclusion if overstay trends shift.

The initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement, including travel bans and visa vetting enhancements.

Philippine travellers should remain vigilant, as the State Department may revise the country list with 15 days’ notice, reflecting ongoing diplomatic and security priorities.

This exclusion offers temporary relief for Filipino travellers, but the programme’s expansion remains a concern for global mobility.