At what point do you overstay your visa? Know the top 50 visa overstays by country

When someone is granted a visa, they are typically given a visa for a predetermined length of time. 

For example, if someone is given a visa to enter the United States for tourism reasons, they might be allowed to stay for 30 days. 

On the other hand, if someone is given a visa to enter the United States for work purposes, they may be allowed to stay for up to a year. 

Then, they are required to either apply for another visa or return home.

There are a lot of people who flee to the United States, i.e. to escape persecution. Therefore, they may simply stay after the visa expires and decide not to leave. 

This is called a visa overstay.

It is illegal.

Now, the US has unveiled plans to mandate up to $15,000 “visa bond” for tourists and business travellers.

Starting August 20, 2025, the US State Department is launching a 12-month “pilot” programme requiring some B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates to pay a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before entering the United States. 

Most travelers will be expected to pay at least $10,000, with the highest-risk applicants facing the full $15,000. 

If the traveller leaves the US on time and abides by their visa conditions, the money is refunded in full.

Overstaying means forfeiting the bond.

The move would affect citizens of a number of countries.

Alongside the bond, a new $250 “visa integrity fee” will be collected for all non-immigrant visas; this fee may also be refundable if terms are followed.

The goal is to discourage visa overstays. The bond acts as a financial deterrent, ensuring travelers have a strong incentive to comply with their visa.

Nationals from countries flagged as “high-risk” for overstays, as identified by Department of Homeland Security data, will be subject to this requirement.

Travellers from Visa Waiver Program countries (like most of Europe, Australia, Japan, etc.) are not affected.

According to the latest DHS and consular data, there are countries with notably high US visa overstay rates (often above 10% of entrants in certain categories).

Following are the top 50 countries in terms of visa overstay, as per World Population Review.