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The barriers to entry into the USA are to be raised for nationals of various countries. (archive image)
Keystone
In future, the US government wants to require a deposit of up to 15,000 dollars for tourists and business travelers from certain countries to enter the country.
This is to ensure that travelers "comply with the terms of their visas and leave the United States in a timely manner", according to a notice in the US Federal Register. Visitors from countries in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are not affected. Its 42 members include Switzerland as well as most EU states.
The measure will reportedly come into force on August 20 and will initially be tested as part of a one-year pilot project. It has yet to be announced exactly which visitors will be targeted by the measure.
According to the information, visitors from countries with a high rate of visa overstays will be targeted. In a 2023 report by the Department of Homeland Security, Chad, Eritrea, Myanmar, Yemen and Haiti were listed as such countries.
According to the US government, the amount of bail is at the discretion of the relevant consular officials. Amounts of 5,000, 10,000 or 15,000 dollars are possible. Anyone who violates the conditions of their visa will not get the amount paid back. Retained deposits could then be used to cover the costs of the US government for deportation proceedings, it was said.
US President Donald Trump wants to take rigorous action against immigrants who enter the country illegally or are already in the US without valid residence status. During his first term in office, he had already announced a pilot program in 2020 to levy security deposits on visas. However, this was not implemented due to the decline in global travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
05.08.2025, 12:02
