In a renewed effort to curb visa overstays, the United States government has launched a new visa bond policy requiring select applicants to pay up to $15,000 before being granted entry.

According to a statement from the U.S. State Department, the new rule—part of a 12-month pilot program—will take effect from August 20. It mandates that applicants for B-1 or B-2 nonimmigrant visas from countries with high overstay rates must pay a bond of no less than $5,000, and up to $15,000, as a condition for visa issuance.

The bond will be refunded if the visa holder complies with the terms of their stay and leaves the U.S. before their visa expires. However, it will be forfeited if the individual overstays.

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The State Department noted that the program targets applicants from nations identified in a 2023 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) report as having significant rates of visa overstays. While the specific countries affected were not disclosed, the policy is expected to impact multiple regions with historically high overstay statistics.

Those subject to the bond must also enter and exit the U.S. through designated airports.

The Trump administration, since returning to the White House in January, has ramped up efforts to tighten immigration controls. The visa bond initiative, the department stated, forms a “key pillar” of the administration’s strategy to address national security threats posed by visa overstays.