President Trump is of course very passionate about immigration. We’ve seen his administration introduce a travel ban targeting 19 countries, and he also plans to introduce a bizarre $250 “visa integrity fee” for visitors from select countries.
Well, that visa integrity fee is nothing compared to another initiative that will soon be rolled out, requiring visitors to the United States to post bond of up to $15,000 in order to get a visa.
In this post:
State Department will require some visitors to post bond
The State Department plans to roll out a 12-month pilot program that will require foreign nationals from certain countries to post a bond of up to $15,000, in order to get a business or tourism visa. The idea is that bonds may be required for travelers from countries that have high rates of visa overstays, or where screening and vetting information is deficient.
It’s not yet clear which countries will be covered by this program, but the countries will be announced at least 15 days before this new policy takes effect. It’s expected that this new policy will take effect this month, and the pilot program will run through August 2026. This program is a response to Trump’s executive order to stem illegal immigration into the United States.
Per the document that has been published so far:
The Pilot Program is further designed to serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to take all appropriate actions to ensure robust screening and vetting for all citizens in matters of identity verification and public safety, to create safeguards in CBI programs that provide citizenship without any residency in the country, and to encourage specified countries with visa overstays to ensure their nationals timely depart the United States after making temporary visits.
I mean… what can we really say about this?
It goes without saying that people will be in one of two camps on this (and I’ll try to describe this as diplomatically as possible).
In one camp, you have people who think it’s important to do absolutely everything possible to keep out undocumented migrants and those who may overstay their visa, no matter what impact it has on other aspects of society, including tourism numbers.
In the other camp, you have people who think this concept borders on cruel and racist, and who think that all of these new policies will have a negative impact on tourism, which is bad for the economy.
Regardless of how you feel about immigration, I will say, I feel sorry for the potential impact this will have on those living in the United States with family from other countries. Many people may struggle with the bond, and it’ll make it significantly more challenging for them to reunite with their families.
No matter what country we’re talking about, I’m not a fan of creating barriers to travel. I’ve been saying that for the 17+ years that I’ve been writing this blog, and I believe that whether it comes in the form of something as minor as an electronic travel authorization, or something as major as requiring travelers to post bond to visit a country.
The United States is certainly in uncharted territory when it comes to the extent of the travel restrictions that we’re seeing. Visa integrity fees and having to post bond to visit a country?! What a time to be alive! It almost makes some travel restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic look mild, by comparison.
Bottom line
The United States plans to introduce new travel restrictions, in the form of requiring visitors from select countries to post bond of up to $15,000 in order to get a tourism or business visa for the United States. This is targeted at those people from countries where a lot of people overstay visas, or where limited vetting is possible.
We should shortly see what countries are included in this… oy. Usually you associate posting bond with jail, so I guess it says something about how we’re viewing visitors.
What do you make of the United States adding a bond requirement for some visas?
Did you even read the article?? You all just start slamming the policy without knowing what it’s really about and who it will affect. You sit there and criticize without knowing anything and apply generalized statement to a policy that will only affect those that are a problem, have visa issues and likely come from terrorist born areas. There is a real world terrorist threat in this country that was created by the lax Biden...
Did you even read the article?? You all just start slamming the policy without knowing what it’s really about and who it will affect. You sit there and criticize without knowing anything and apply generalized statement to a policy that will only affect those that are a problem, have visa issues and likely come from terrorist born areas. There is a real world terrorist threat in this country that was created by the lax Biden Administration. The extra security and bond requirements will curtail others from overstaying and perhaps becoming a threat.
Outrageous! This is basically saying "DON'T COME TO THE US!"
Depends on the country. It's no secret that there are those who abuse our visa system. Most informed citizens could name a few of those countries. If there are vetting issues, by all means, raise the bar for entry. I doubt that the program will impact aunt Margaret visiting her cousins from Ireland.
Do you think that other countries in the world grant visas to everone who wants entry? The first rule of security...
Depends on the country. It's no secret that there are those who abuse our visa system. Most informed citizens could name a few of those countries. If there are vetting issues, by all means, raise the bar for entry. I doubt that the program will impact aunt Margaret visiting her cousins from Ireland.
Do you think that other countries in the world grant visas to everone who wants entry? The first rule of security is prevention.
For those in opposition: do you live in a gated community, have a lock on your front door, drive with your doors locked, keep your cash in a safe, invite strangers into your home?
Another ill considered regulation coming from the hapless Trump regime. Mistakes will be made (witness ICE). The restrictions that this requirement will impose on visitors, families, teams, or anyone otherwise legitimate are staggering. Will Congress ever stop this wannabe king/dictator?
Another potential hit to the hospitality industry and their suppliers. Some countries will introduce their own financial fences. Not a very encouraging outlook.
Move FIFA to Canada & the Olympics to another country, then no one needs to kiss his ***.
I fear that other countries will do the same for us in order to visit as a reciprocity measure. Time to travel on a non-U.S. passport for those who can?
This is what should have been done under Biden when nearly anyone could have simply crossed the border. Rather than requiring them to make a horrific crossing through Mexico and pay smugglers the fee could simply have been set to that of the smugglers and they could have flown to the US directly.
The problem with Trump's plan is that those who plan on overstaying will gladly pay the bond to enter as it...
This is what should have been done under Biden when nearly anyone could have simply crossed the border. Rather than requiring them to make a horrific crossing through Mexico and pay smugglers the fee could simply have been set to that of the smugglers and they could have flown to the US directly.
The problem with Trump's plan is that those who plan on overstaying will gladly pay the bond to enter as it is much easier and likely cheaper than the smuggling route. Legitimate tourists are more likely to not bother. This will simply decrease legitimate travelers yet at the same time increase overstays.
All part of the fascist plan to reduce and eliminate contact with non-white countries. The less exposure, the easier it is to "other" them and control the narrative with the maga base.
As for the enormous US tourism industry and the fact foreign travel to the US is a lucrative "export" sector for us? Well, too bad, I guess...
Well, the mango menace is going to get what he wants... no one coming to this country. No immigrants starting businesses, no tourists spending their hard earned money at Disney World, no migrant workers to pick our crops and skilled immigrants and guest workers to care for our aging relatives.
It's going to be amazing!
Seems like this only applies to Malawi and Zambia, I wonder how many tourists the US gets from there.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html
Where there is an opportunity I expect business will create a solution. I assume financial firms will step in and offer the bond acting similar to insurance companies. They will filter and base their fees and decisions related to perceived risk to their money.
Of course, those from western Europe will likely be perceived as lower risk (and lower fees) while those from destitute Countries will be asked to pay up or likely will not be issued the bond.
Which countries’ citizenship by investment programs does the Trump regime hate? Seems like they have in mind to target some of those countries even as they aren’t significant origin countries for US overstays.
I think this is a great idea! So good in fact, that we are going to initiate this at our house for guests who don’t know when it’s time to leave. Friends just dropping by for a drink and chat will have to post a bond of $5,000 for visits up to 2 hours. Dinner guests will have to post a bond of $15,000 each, which is non-refundable after 11 pm. Some select neighbors and...
I think this is a great idea! So good in fact, that we are going to initiate this at our house for guests who don’t know when it’s time to leave. Friends just dropping by for a drink and chat will have to post a bond of $5,000 for visits up to 2 hours. Dinner guests will have to post a bond of $15,000 each, which is non-refundable after 11 pm. Some select neighbors and relatives won’t even have the option of a deposit—they are just going to have fork over a non-refundable fee. They will have to count it out in front of our Ring Doorbell camera, and drop it in a slot, before we will even open the door. Nothing sets the value of welcome and hospitality quite like financial retribution.
The other problem is that countries will enact reciprocal requirements on Americans making it more difficult for us to travel, as well.
just imagine if the Democrats had put aside their arrogance and just cleaned up the border mess.
they wouldnt have had to deal with Trump for the next 4 years.
but no - they let their arrogance define them.
Just imagine if Trump had told his Congressional lackeys not to enact any immigration reform before the election, because in his demented mind it was the only way to win.
@Ross, exactly. And it worked because Democrats are lousy at messaging and couldn't get the electorate to understand what had happened.
To be fair, the right has spent about 2 decades building up a massive media machine. Not just FOX and NewsMax, but you even have CNN and NBC hosts just not covering Democrat successes for the entirety of Biden's admin and sanewashing everything Trump said. FOX has also spent over a decade buying up local media stations, so you're far from guaranteed to get reasonable or balanced coverage there either. Outside of mainstream media, a...
To be fair, the right has spent about 2 decades building up a massive media machine. Not just FOX and NewsMax, but you even have CNN and NBC hosts just not covering Democrat successes for the entirety of Biden's admin and sanewashing everything Trump said. FOX has also spent over a decade buying up local media stations, so you're far from guaranteed to get reasonable or balanced coverage there either. Outside of mainstream media, a lot of the political podcast scene is dominated by right and far-left voices whose entire (profitable) brand is crapping on everything Democrats do. Not to mention the RWers like Tim Pool who were literally funded by Russia. The media environment is just utter trash getting its clicks blaming Democrats for not stopping the Republicans when Republicans do something negative, or blaming Democrats for not doing enough when Democrats do something positive.
You are full of it. His stupid fascist politics and Maga are killing this country.
It'll cost you 15k to live, in most of the cities foreign people talk about, for two months. I don't see the problem. "Get me into Los Angeles" - LA is on fire, stupid.
LA is what now?
"From select countries." Yes if there are countries in which large amounts of "tourist" are overstaying visas then it's a great way to ensure they will go home after 90 days. And all the people here that will say how horrible how many of you would be glad to take them in, feed them, cloth them, pay for their needs. NONE.
You are really out of touch. People who intentionaly go to US/other countries for overstay will see this as just an extra fee. Those kind of people often pay smugglers quite a bit of money to illegally enter countries. In this case US Govt is just removing the middle man and make some money (which it doesn't need as it can just create debt).
If they really wanted to stop illegal immigration, they wouldn't target...
You are really out of touch. People who intentionaly go to US/other countries for overstay will see this as just an extra fee. Those kind of people often pay smugglers quite a bit of money to illegally enter countries. In this case US Govt is just removing the middle man and make some money (which it doesn't need as it can just create debt).
If they really wanted to stop illegal immigration, they wouldn't target people who are coming via legal means on visa. They would enforce border patrol more heavily and jail/deport more illegal migrants.
If they are really are worried about overstays, they can even put smartwatches with tracking enabled which can be discrete unlike the ones on leg.
I lived in NYC for 18 years. Over those 18 years I knew many people that came by legal means and just overstayed their 90 days. In fact because we don't have exit customs they could go back and forth. They were all decent people that just wanted a life here. But not all are decent people.
The people you knew in NYC who overstayed their visas were likely from Ireland or Poland, neither of which are covered by this pilot program.
If people from these certain few high risk countries can afford to come here for legitimate purposes, they can certainly afford the refundable bond. This is to dissuade those who are going to thumb their noses at our laws.
$15k bond. Who can afford that, but rich people who aren't looking to leave their country of birth and emigrate anyway. Trump supports Elites only.
Tourist, student and work visas aren't to be used to "immigrate" anyway. You're right, these people who are likely to screw us should not just granted ANY type of visa under any circumstances or surety.
Didn’t both Elon Musk and Melania Trump both illegally overstay their visas when they originally immigrated to the United States? Yet something tells me these aren’t the types of people you’re hoping we keep out.
So basically, you are restating the reason for this proposed rule. Thank you for your reinforcement.
They probably can't afford to come here in the first place. Airfare $2,000, hotel 1500$, meals 1000$, Disney $1500. Rental car $800. That is outta of reach for probably 90% of the world's population. And if you can't raise a $15,000 bond ( there are companies that sell them at a fraction of face value ) you should forego a trip to the US.
I am sure the USA will give an exemption to genocidal Zionists, child molesters, sex traffickers, brainwashed evangelicals and war criminals.
The types of individuals that are core to American society in 2025.
Clearly a post that exhibits bias and anti-Semitism. The above post should be removed.
You think that children starving to death in Gaza to death is acceptable? You should be BANNED from this site.
The discussion has nothing to do with Gaza.
Have you seen the video of a hostage digging his own grave? Talk about starvation. Of note, the Red Cross has not seen the video nor visited any hostage.
Your posts should be removed simply based on classy language.
Hamas terrorist supporters who use profanities as a login name, are proof, if proof was ever needed, that they are simply imbeciles.
No anti semitism in the post. But plenty of blood libel in yours, Moe.
Palestinians are also Semites, as are most Arabs. Look it up. Genocidal maniacs, child molesters, sex traffickers, brainwashed religious followers and war criminals, historically, can and do belong to any ethnic group. No ethnic group has an exclusive on repulsive human behaviour. Unfortunately, it’s more like share and share alike.
Clearly this proposal is simply another attempt to dissuade the pseudo tourists from overstaying their ‘welcome’ in the U.S. If the illegal immigrants are going to attempt overstay their tourist visas, why not make a little money from them beforehand? Extending such a naked money spinner to genuine tourists or business people, will certainly have a negative impact upon the U.S. economy.
The United States really just needed to start actually enforcing its existing laws, which had been all but ignored for several years, including during the first Trump administration. I find it difficult to believe that people who go to the trouble of applying for the appropriate visa are the main problem here. Speaking as a US Permanent Resident who’s married to an American, I can attest that the visa application/approval/maintenance process is long, intrusive, and...
The United States really just needed to start actually enforcing its existing laws, which had been all but ignored for several years, including during the first Trump administration. I find it difficult to believe that people who go to the trouble of applying for the appropriate visa are the main problem here. Speaking as a US Permanent Resident who’s married to an American, I can attest that the visa application/approval/maintenance process is long, intrusive, and frustrating - and that’s with the assistance of a specialist immigration attorney. I’m sure it’s much easier to skip out and disappear on an ESTA.
In 2023 there were suspected to be 298,560 undocumented from non-Visa Waiver Program countries, 86,946 from VWP and 69,809 from Canada and Mexico. Total including students and other types of visa overstays is 510,363 for the year. Do you still think it is not a problem?
The concept of visa overstays gets really interesting when you consider how well the USA tracks people departing. There's been a few cases of people being told they've overstayed a previous visa when they arrive for another visit (or apply for a new visa) despite the fact they left the USA 2-3 years ago after their previous visit.
Here's the most recent such incident: https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-couple-esta-problem-cruise-cancelled-face-ban-from-travelling-to-usa-exclusive/c776994f-92cf-458f-b1d8-7de44ed985fa
I wonder how many of these admin errors occur...
The concept of visa overstays gets really interesting when you consider how well the USA tracks people departing. There's been a few cases of people being told they've overstayed a previous visa when they arrive for another visit (or apply for a new visa) despite the fact they left the USA 2-3 years ago after their previous visit.
Here's the most recent such incident: https://www.9news.com.au/national/perth-couple-esta-problem-cruise-cancelled-face-ban-from-travelling-to-usa-exclusive/c776994f-92cf-458f-b1d8-7de44ed985fa
I wonder how many of these admin errors occur with people marked as overstaying despite having already left?
Hi Ben, Global Airlines Website is now live
Travel to the U.S. has dropped 8.2% year to date. This is going to continue its decline as we roll through the travelers who had prebooked travel prior to the chaos unleashed. Two bright spots of increased travel were from China and Brazil. Two countries that I’m certain will be targeted for this bond and gut the few bright spots. You could well see a decrease in travel to the U.S. reach epic declines this...
Travel to the U.S. has dropped 8.2% year to date. This is going to continue its decline as we roll through the travelers who had prebooked travel prior to the chaos unleashed. Two bright spots of increased travel were from China and Brazil. Two countries that I’m certain will be targeted for this bond and gut the few bright spots. You could well see a decrease in travel to the U.S. reach epic declines this winter and next year. Places like Florida and Las Vegas are going to be devastated, especially given the over development of the past few years. If you take Brazil as an example, the negative impact on South Florida and Orlando will be across the board in retail and hospitality. Lose the gambling addicted Chinese coming to Vegas and imagine how that plays out.
As to the Olympics and World Cup I imagine there are some high level discussions going on about moving them. As well there should be.
8.2% of what? Number of meatbags coming to US or amount of $ spent by visitors? Unlikely to the later.
The more worrying thing, for rest of world, if US is seen less as destination of choice for many low-wage and 3rd world countries, where will those places go as next destination of choice?
Travelers. As stated. Led by Canadians which has seen a drop of 23%. Also in the significant decline list is Germany and France. Do you think of them as third world countries or “meatheads?”
When people mention america now, it gets booed. Thats how far its fallen because of its current govt.
"No matter what impact it has on other aspects of society, including tourism numbers."
Ben, I don't think the US economy is highly dependent on tourism from Afghan people, but I may be wrong. As someone who requires a visa for the US, I have no problem whatsoever with this. If everyone was abiding by the rules, there wouldn't be any need for this non-sense.
99% of all entries do not overstay their visas. It’s hardly an issue worthy of drastic measures like this. And while tourism may not be relevant in the Midwest or other areas, it is hugely impactful to places like Las Vegas, California, Florida and New York City. This economies will suffer greatly.
99% do not overstay? That is false. The 99%+ figure is true for the UK, Japan, Taiwan, Germany, and some others. However. some third world countries have overstay figures of 5-20%. Chad has a 49% overstay rate. Haiti is 31%. Sudan 25%. Congo (Brazzaville) 29%. Laos 34%
30% of what? 200 annual visitors? The 99% figure total is correct and as reported annually. If Trump chooses these few places with higher overstay issues, ok. But most likely it will become another weapon for going after countries he decided she doesn’t like right now…Brazil, China, India. Just like he uses tariffs to intimidate the world and alienate our nation from the global community.
False information. Very few countries have 200 visitors to the US. Nearly all have more than 200.
Yemen 1,984 visitors, 19% overstay
Tanzania, 5,467 visitors, 10% overstay
Sierra Leona, 3,034 visitors, 15% overstay
Nigeria, 84,051 visitors, 7% overstay
Laos, 1,898 visitors, 34% overstay
Kenya 20,351 visitors, 20% overstay
Haiti, 86,906 visitors, 31% overstay
Chad, 761 visitors, 49% overstay
Japan 0.13% (less than 1%) overstay
Iceland 0.11% overstay
False information. Very few countries have 200 visitors to the US. Nearly all have more than 200.
Yemen 1,984 visitors, 19% overstay
Tanzania, 5,467 visitors, 10% overstay
Sierra Leona, 3,034 visitors, 15% overstay
Nigeria, 84,051 visitors, 7% overstay
Laos, 1,898 visitors, 34% overstay
Kenya 20,351 visitors, 20% overstay
Haiti, 86,906 visitors, 31% overstay
Chad, 761 visitors, 49% overstay
Japan 0.13% (less than 1%) overstay
Iceland 0.11% overstay
Singapore 0.20% overstay
This post (and most comments) are severely inaccurate and uninformed.
Some key points which you 'diplomatically left out:
1) The bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program, which enables travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days. The majority of the 42 countries enrolled in the program are in Europe, with others in Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere.
2) Consular officials will have...
This post (and most comments) are severely inaccurate and uninformed.
Some key points which you 'diplomatically left out:
1) The bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program, which enables travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days. The majority of the 42 countries enrolled in the program are in Europe, with others in Asia, the Middle East and elsewhere.
2) Consular officials will have three options for visa applicants subjected to the bonds: $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000
You are not trying to be diplomatic nor or you reporting facts (like a journalist).
I've referred several people to your credit card recommendations. But, if you are going to wade into political waters, you should make sure you get your facts right. You are entitled to your opinion or your 'diplomatic' assessment, but it's a double-edged sword. Maybe do a bit of fact-checking before you panic all your readers that they will need to post a 15K bond to enter the United States.
Mendacious megalomaniac.
Boycott the World Cup and Olympics
He is a mendacious megalomaniac, yes, but he also won both the electoral college vote and the popular vote after promising to do exactly what he’s doing. This is what the majority of American voters wanted. If only the Democrats hadn’t shoehorned an unpopular, giggling simpleton into the nomination, things may have beeen different, but here we are. The next presidential election is in 2028. Both major parties need to find serious candidates of real...
He is a mendacious megalomaniac, yes, but he also won both the electoral college vote and the popular vote after promising to do exactly what he’s doing. This is what the majority of American voters wanted. If only the Democrats hadn’t shoehorned an unpopular, giggling simpleton into the nomination, things may have beeen different, but here we are. The next presidential election is in 2028. Both major parties need to find serious candidates of real substance, because the years since Obama have been an abject clusterfck.
Pete are you a Deplorable MAGAt?
A majority of voters in 2024 did not vote for Trump and it’s doubtful that everyone in the plurality that did vote for him would have voted for extreme and draconian policies like this.
So the part your not telling is this. Ever wonder how they know someone is from Chat, Peru, Somalia that they are deporting? They fingerprint them and it pulls up a immigration visa. They had to do that to apply for one at the US Embassy at their country of origin. Guess what nearly all of them overstay their visa. Its a form of backdoor illegal immigration.
So the thinking is by making them...
So the part your not telling is this. Ever wonder how they know someone is from Chat, Peru, Somalia that they are deporting? They fingerprint them and it pulls up a immigration visa. They had to do that to apply for one at the US Embassy at their country of origin. Guess what nearly all of them overstay their visa. Its a form of backdoor illegal immigration.
So the thinking is by making them give up some cash that they can get back then maybe this will shut the door on this illegal activity. Someone in USA having to pay X amount to France to visit is not really much a issue. A 3rd world person attempting to backdoor our citizenship process via this that has to form over 250 bucks to whatever well they never will be able to afford it.
Look, you can be against this all you want. The fact is that US is still the MOST desired place to immigrate to, both legally and illegally. This is because it is relatively easy compared to other countries to make decent money. This goes for both low skill workers AND high skill workers. I am Canadian, and in the field of technology, the salary is at least 3x that to Canada... So why the fuck...
Look, you can be against this all you want. The fact is that US is still the MOST desired place to immigrate to, both legally and illegally. This is because it is relatively easy compared to other countries to make decent money. This goes for both low skill workers AND high skill workers. I am Canadian, and in the field of technology, the salary is at least 3x that to Canada... So why the fuck would I NOT come to the states? It is the highest paying tech salary IN THE WORLD.
If you do a though experiment and allow anyone from any country in the world to visit, I bet my money is on the US. (I have traveled to more than 100 countries both politically friend and foe to US, and citizens there generally would like to visit the US as their top destination).
Look, Shit is bad in the states, but people are still drawn to easy money. Will this policy work? who the fck knows, but the government is trying shit, if this doesn't work, try another... fck the status quo. This is the same AB testing that companies do all the time.
It's naive to assume that this changes the system from "we give you a visa because we trust you" to "we only give you a visa if there is a financial incentive for you to go home." The truth is that many friends and family members have no hope of getting a visa to come to the US to visit friends or family, because on paper they don't have adequate incentive to return. Their US...
It's naive to assume that this changes the system from "we give you a visa because we trust you" to "we only give you a visa if there is a financial incentive for you to go home." The truth is that many friends and family members have no hope of getting a visa to come to the US to visit friends or family, because on paper they don't have adequate incentive to return. Their US contacts are more than willing to post "up to" 15K to allow them an opportunity to visit. And their may be financiers in their home country that can provide the service that bonding companies do here: for a percentage fee, we'll post the bond because we know you and your local contacts better than some US consular official.
I vote for more visas with deposits, over no visas at all.
We give you a visa because we trust you, but don’t forget that the John Wayne guarding the border for God and Country can flex how big his balls are and deny you entry, even though you’ve spent weeks or months with the State Department crawling up your ass with an electron microscope before they granted you that visa. And he can be a rude, obnoxious prick about it because you have no recourse against...
We give you a visa because we trust you, but don’t forget that the John Wayne guarding the border for God and Country can flex how big his balls are and deny you entry, even though you’ve spent weeks or months with the State Department crawling up your ass with an electron microscope before they granted you that visa. And he can be a rude, obnoxious prick about it because you have no recourse against his decision, and the look of shocked bewilderment on your face when he tells you you’ve been denied entry will make him blam later tonight when he’s got the lid off the Albolene.
So many of the blissfully ignorant in the comments cheering this on, make sure to keep that same energy when the next country you visit treats you the same way! Boneheaded Americans think our country is the only one in the world!
I am hardly cheering this on but there is a dynamic that you and a whole lot of other people don't quite understand.
No one expected the huge tariff wars that Trump started - and yet we are finding country after country that is simply agreeing to pay 15% tariffs and invest in the US because they stand to lose too much if they don't.
The flow of tourist money works the same way.
There...
I am hardly cheering this on but there is a dynamic that you and a whole lot of other people don't quite understand.
No one expected the huge tariff wars that Trump started - and yet we are finding country after country that is simply agreeing to pay 15% tariffs and invest in the US because they stand to lose too much if they don't.
The flow of tourist money works the same way.
There are probably countries that will add reciprocal tariffs but most countries recognize that the US is simply so large of a market that you have to accept the terms it sets.
Will some of that stuff change in 3 1/2 years? maybe.
But also Trump might convince a whole lot of people that the "we're all just friends" motif doesn't really work in reality and when you can collect hundreds of billions in tariff revenue, why would you walk away from it?
The same could potentially be true with bonds for high risk visitors.
It wouldn't been my idea but maybe, just maybe, it will open up a different approach to the flow of people around the world and not everyone will end up coming to the US that did before even if some Americans won't be able to move as freely as they once did.
and lost in all of this is whether the US will accept non-refundable deposits for tourism services such as Disneyworld tickets and packages as part of the bond.
The people that were "just coming to visit family" and weren't intending to spend much money in the US aren't really a loss.
That's not how it works at all. They are agreeing to tariffs in the short term while they reorient and diversify their economies to minimize trade risk from the United States because we've proven ourselves an obviously unreliable trade and political partner. Since the second world war, the United States has very effectively proselytized free trade to open foreign economies to trade, provide American businesses with competitive advantages, offshore dangerous and outmoded low-tech manufacturing jobs,...
That's not how it works at all. They are agreeing to tariffs in the short term while they reorient and diversify their economies to minimize trade risk from the United States because we've proven ourselves an obviously unreliable trade and political partner. Since the second world war, the United States has very effectively proselytized free trade to open foreign economies to trade, provide American businesses with competitive advantages, offshore dangerous and outmoded low-tech manufacturing jobs, and provide cheap goods for Americans. By leveraging the scale of American consumption we've been able to subtly advance our interests throughout the world by slowly making the global economy interdependent upon ourselves. This interdependence has led to rises in the quality of life for people all over the world, but especially Americans. It's also contributed to the waning of out and out interstate armed conflict since the end of the cold war.
That type of soft power only works if you pretend not to use it. When you make threats to cripple allied economies every other day and prove that you have zero regard for previous agreements, other countries notice. Americans will pay higher import taxes for goods in the short term, and see global capital flight in the long term. We will find ourselves poorer, dirtier, and unwelcome abroad for these policies, at least for your lifetime if not mine and your children's. There's a reason nobody here has been stupid enough to try these ideas since they triggered Great Depression. Entertaining them is at this point, irresponsible.
I'm not trying to launch a personal attack, but you betray your lack of understanding when you suggest tariffs are paid by the exporting country. They are paid by the importer, and ultimately the consumers of the importing country. Let's start there. I suggest you look into Friedman (M), Fukuyama (F), or Friedman (T.L.). The FT, Foreign Policy, and Foreign Affairs also have good reporting and essays.
I have never supported anything that Trump has done in the past and think that raising the tariffs was a colossally bad idea but I do support this. There are 4.9 million undocumented immigrants due to overstays and travelers from certain countries are much more likely to abuse the visa system (2023 data - Haitians 31.38% and Venezuelans 9.83% being notable examples). I am curious if you don´t think visa overstays leading to undocumented is...
I have never supported anything that Trump has done in the past and think that raising the tariffs was a colossally bad idea but I do support this. There are 4.9 million undocumented immigrants due to overstays and travelers from certain countries are much more likely to abuse the visa system (2023 data - Haitians 31.38% and Venezuelans 9.83% being notable examples). I am curious if you don´t think visa overstays leading to undocumented is a problem or if you would solve it in another way?
Countries don't pay tariffs. MAGA uneducated idiots like you Tim do.
and yet many trade agreements that have been reached involve investments by those countries in the US - which create American jobs.
and whether you agree w/ it or not, some in Washington are proposing providing refund checks to Americans based on tariff revenue. If it happens, regardless of whether it makes sense or not, a whole lot of Americans will change their tune about tariffs - and it will make it ten times harder...
and yet many trade agreements that have been reached involve investments by those countries in the US - which create American jobs.
and whether you agree w/ it or not, some in Washington are proposing providing refund checks to Americans based on tariff revenue. If it happens, regardless of whether it makes sense or not, a whole lot of Americans will change their tune about tariffs - and it will make it ten times harder to undo the tariffs in the future.
and, yes, countries want to diversify their economies away from US trade but the US is the world's largest market; if countries can't come to a trade agreement w/ the US, they will lose access to the US market or have their products priced out by lower price producers.
tariffs will be part of the cost of a product and if some countries can come up w/ trade agreements, they will have lower prices for their products.
and yes, throwaway, several countries have agreed to have their products taxed at 15% tariff rates
So, with one hand we will take the check, and with the other hand we will write a check for a 3-7% tariff increase. In fact, the truth is that U. S. companies that gain price advantage because of tariffs on foreign imports, will raise prices, because they can.
„ and yet we are finding country after country that is simply agreeing to pay 15% tariffs“
Companies don’t pay tariffs, US consumers do.
„ and invest in the US“ countries don’t invest in the US, companies do.
No country has agreed to 'pay 15%'. Tariffs aren't paid by exporters, they're paid by importers/consumers.
This comes from the person who.mothballed the bipartisan immigration reform bill. Shameful
With many of able bodied people staying home playing video games and collecting unemployment (thank you, liberals) how are we suppose to find people doing the minimum wage jobs.
It sucks so bad these days that all those 24-hours are not open all night anymore. And even the ones that close, has to close even earlier because no one wants to work the graveyard shift.
Those not playing video games are just going to be...
With many of able bodied people staying home playing video games and collecting unemployment (thank you, liberals) how are we suppose to find people doing the minimum wage jobs.
It sucks so bad these days that all those 24-hours are not open all night anymore. And even the ones that close, has to close even earlier because no one wants to work the graveyard shift.
Those not playing video games are just going to be gig workers and they are demanding more benefits that would make them work less for more benefits but cost consumers more?
Please pay those immigrants $15k to steal the job that supposed to be filled with somebody but nobody wants anyway. It's not like any job is really stolen.
Visa overstays is an issue, especially security issue and should be addressed. But it isn’t as big of an issue as the administration is making it out to be.
For FY2023 the overstay rate is estimated to be < 1.45%. 0.62% (99k from 16m+) amongst visitors from the VWP and 3.2% (314k out of ~10m) from non-VWP. These numbers exclude the students, exchange visitors, and visitors from Canada & Mexico i.e. ~230k visa overstays will...
Visa overstays is an issue, especially security issue and should be addressed. But it isn’t as big of an issue as the administration is making it out to be.
For FY2023 the overstay rate is estimated to be < 1.45%. 0.62% (99k from 16m+) amongst visitors from the VWP and 3.2% (314k out of ~10m) from non-VWP. These numbers exclude the students, exchange visitors, and visitors from Canada & Mexico i.e. ~230k visa overstays will not even be covered by this bond. So, this “solution” doesn’t really solve the problem, but is a good optics to pacify the racists, and dumb-nuts.
Hail Trump
This on the back of firsthand reports of Vegas being deserted? Oh, Ben! You just made my week!
I want to know how this might impact dealmaking for U.S. VCs who rely on strategic acquisitions to expand. Y’all will say it’s niche, but I promise you it’s the little things that add up
Most countries will quickly reciprocate with similar requirements for Americans to enter their countries. We'll see how that goes when Americans will have to post $15,000 bonds in order to travel to Thailand, Mexico, Morocco, etc. etc. Get your trips in quickly before it all goes into effect.
Look on the bright side: There will soon be much less competition for those elusive award seats to Hanoi and Cairo!
“There will soon be much less competition for those elusive award seats to Hanoi and Cairo!”
That may be, but what’s the upside when there are far fewer flight *flights* to Hanoi and Cairo?
We also have to pay for visas to other countries, i.e. Thailand DTV visa is $400. Is the outrage only one way, as usual?
This new requirement is not for all visitors, not even close, but you'd never know from the title. That's all leftists need to satiate their appetite for rage I guess.
Thailand travel is visa free. Did you just pull that factoid out of your a%%?
Thai tourist visas are issued on arrival and are free for US visitors.
The DTV visa is $300 and is good for five years.
Extremely extremely misleading and disappointing comment by the OP.
$300 is insanely cheap for a five year visa with (limited) residency rights.
The US does not have a similar programme or visa but the J-1 visa that would allow you to intern or be a camp counsellor or some such costs US$160 to apply, $205 for the SEVIS fee and, $105 to issue (for an Australian at least) - that only gets you 12 months.
When I did my F-1, renewals for that and then H1-B my fees were way higher and that was 15 years ago.
DTV is ~$300/180-day stays for up to 5 years vs the American 15k visa
It's not even close you magat moron
15k is deposit that would be refunded, not a visa.
$300 5 years DTV is a visa as is $185(currently) 10 years B1/B2.
Even when there would be added $250 fee(total of $435), it is lower due to the longer period of time.
Annihilating one of the country’s largest business - inbound tourism - one dumb move at a time.
Seems pretty clear that the end goal is to eliminate all visitation from non-ESTA countries. Well, except for oligarchs who might line Trump’s pocket.
MAGA is a death cult.
All I know is, there will be a whole lot of changes in Laws once Trump leaves Office. Many will be gone with a stroke of a pen with Executive Orders. But the Damage will be done.
There is no such thing as an undocumented migrant.
This is most definetly going to be an issue for people in the US who's families would like to come and visit them.
This includes my extended family. I have been trying to get them to get a visa for years. They finally agreed, but thr next available visa appointment is over a year from now for their country's US Embassy. Now there is this rule which will likely hinder their ability to come,...
This is most definetly going to be an issue for people in the US who's families would like to come and visit them.
This includes my extended family. I have been trying to get them to get a visa for years. They finally agreed, but thr next available visa appointment is over a year from now for their country's US Embassy. Now there is this rule which will likely hinder their ability to come, especially if the bond is $15,000 is per person.
@Ben - Do you know if the bond is per person or per party? If it is per person, is the price discounted for children or dependents?
Learn to read.
and I have friends that would love to have family come and have the money to post a bond but can't get a visa because of the high overstay rate for their country.
This might actually make it easier for some people to get appointments and to get approved.
This fee is a great idea. I hope they give more notice than 15 days prior to implementation.
Plenty of hotels and car rental companies ask for a security deposit.
Feel free to provide a list of countries that this will impact but I doubt it will be the many if any of the highest countries by US visitor volume
Tim normally I think people are too hard on you but this is a boneheaded take. Go live at Hertz or a Red Roof Inn if you think that's how the country should be run.
if you think that Red Roof Inn and Hertz are the only travel providers that put a block on your credit card, you are living under a big rock.
I get that this is a bond for PEOPLE but the concept of putting a dollar amount on risk is not at all unheard of.
I'm well aware, I work in global risk pricing. It's literally my job. Your analogy is not a relevant or useful comparison.
I wonder what FIFA and the US host cities for the 2026 World Cup are going to have to say about all of this. I can’t imagine they are going to be thrilled, since this presumably will still be in place for the duration.
As if the Trump administration hadn’t already made the prospect of attending games in Canada/Mexico more appealing, this is only going to make them moreso.
Time for FIFA to get the U.S. games moved to Canada and Mexico or entire teams from hell-hole countries that qualified won't be able to play their games here. This should be done sooner than later.
Hell hole countries? Hmm you mean the current host?
Fifa wont say a thing, they have an even bigger crook running it.
@JOHN. Football or soccer as you folks call it is the world’s largest spectator sports game in the world. It generates an immense amount of jobs and billions in dollars of revenue for cities & countries alike.
The entire planet benefits from this game.
Just spend a couple of days at a major International airport and you will understand the "why" of this. Just enter a Lyft ride and discover your driver speaks no English, is not following the ride plan and looks nothing like he is supposed to. 9There is much credential sharing where logit drivers and paid by the shift for allowing others to drive with their ID.
Sure I understand the ramifications. My wife's family...
Just spend a couple of days at a major International airport and you will understand the "why" of this. Just enter a Lyft ride and discover your driver speaks no English, is not following the ride plan and looks nothing like he is supposed to. 9There is much credential sharing where logit drivers and paid by the shift for allowing others to drive with their ID.
Sure I understand the ramifications. My wife's family had difficulty visiting my wife with stage$ Cancer.
By the way, all those concerned about the lost tourist revenue, simply calculate the lost hospital revenue when an illegal comes for care. They get immediate, 30 day Medicaid and get the best treatment in the world at taxpayers ultimate expense.
Wtf are you talking about? medicaid for tourists? Dude STFU. No one coming here on non-immigrant visa gets medicaid.
If a patient arrives at a Hospital treatment must be provided to stabalize regardless of funding. If there is no other means there is emergency, 39 day Medicaid. I have seen this happen with people here legally.
Stage$ cancer is any cancer you may get in the US.
I hit the shift key, stage 4.
In addition, taking potshots at anyone who doesn’t speak English well is a bit hypocritical based on the legibility of your comment.
When the driver can not answer, refuses to stop and is going the wrong direction, duh, a common language is necessary That is exactly what happened..
"best treatment in the world"?
Most expensive, certainly, but the idea that mass American health care is the best in the world is yet another result of most Americans having no clue about the rest of the world.
The racists are gonna love this one.
This is an utterly foolish, asinine, dim-witted, nonsensical, boneheaded idea that will ultimately hurt us.
But still better than open borders. Sigh.
very easy to say f DT until you or your family member(s) killed by illegals
I've been grading essays today, and perhaps that experience framed my mindset when checking out this post. Here are some of my questions and feedback. Did you intend to write two "extreme" bi-polar opposite camps, perhaps? to wit, "(1) In one camp, you have people who think it’s important to do everything possible to keep out undocumented migrants and those who may overstay their visa, no matter what impact it has on other aspects of...
I've been grading essays today, and perhaps that experience framed my mindset when checking out this post. Here are some of my questions and feedback. Did you intend to write two "extreme" bi-polar opposite camps, perhaps? to wit, "(1) In one camp, you have people who think it’s important to do everything possible to keep out undocumented migrants and those who may overstay their visa, no matter what impact it has on other aspects of society, including tourism numbers. (2) In the other camp, you have people who think this concept borders on cruel and racist, and who think that all of these new policies will hurt tourism, which is bad for the economy." These assumptions are the 'two camps'? You don't think that the issue has just a little bit more complexity, and there might be spaces somewhere between or outside of these two narrow boxes? Wow, that is the most lopsided and distorted false dichotomy to set up a "straw man" misanalysis that I have ever seen written down. You would have received a failing grade in either my argumentation or rhetoric class with something as misleading as this for an analytical essay. I'm very disappointed with the way you set this up - this is like a survey designer that uses only leading questions and hidden influence those who don't see the inherent spin. I'm very disappointed in this example of poor argumentation analysis. Time to review the chapter on fallacies, hasty generalization, and then resubmit the assignment.
Amazing with all that education, you can't write in paragraphs.
For those of you who are against all of Donald Trump's common sense immigration reforms, look in the mirror and ask yourself, do you lock your doors at night? Why do you live in a gated community? How many illegal aliens have you housed in your home?
Do I lock my door at night? Yes. Am I worried about an undocumented person breaking in? No. Am I worried about a citizen of the US breaking in, Yes. I don't live in a gated community. You act like if we had no undocumented immigrants we would have no crime.
Right… people like you are the reason this country is so effed up.
there is no such thing as "undocumented", actually at least in Europe, many economic migrants who seek fortune up north/west of their countries "forget/lose" their passport so that they can declare the origin as most suitable for their asylum request and delay if not render any expulsion impossible.
Most Americans agreed immigration reform was necessary in ~2022. Most Americans agree that what's happening right now is draconian, arbitrary, and harmful. "Common sense" is at best a misnomer. Immigration is not all or nothing.
Oh please. Immigrants, even illegal ones, commit crimes at a lower rate than U.S. citizens. Yeah, I lock my doors, but not due to Immigrants.
To note, this is for visitors requiring a B1/B2 visa, which therefore means it does NOT apply to everyone who is eligible for the visa waiver program (i.e. most Western tourists, also Japanese, Korean, etc. - though not, say, India and China). Similarly, this would (as it is currently written) not apply to students (F-1 / J-1 visas).
Tally ho, old pips! It was nice when there was a welcoming tourist infrastructure.
Oh, Chris...tourists are still welcome. Visa overstayers are not. Come to think of it, isn't that the same policy of [checks the list] ALL countries on planet Earth?
Shhh, John. Facts and common sense are a foreign concept for Chris. He needs his TDS to feel morally superior.
Ahh yes, adding a 15k USD fees to a tourist who had probably budgeted 5k is fact and common sense. Where as illegal immigrants are still able to enter the country and face little consequences. Great Job ! Trump has gone back on pretty much all of his campaign promises. US really needs proper third and fourth parties otherwise the only options would be either denile old people or simpletons controlled by various lobbies.
It seems to me if this was paired with visa reforms that made getting a visa to the US easy, it would be a net good thing. Of course, with this administration, it won’t.
The last thing we need is it being easier to get a visa. Due diligence should be required of any country allowing foreigners to enter. I have zero issues when I visit a country requiring them. And this will be targeted to the most heinous offenders. I believe I saw the stats that Venezuela was the worst, with over 40% staying past their deadline. That's just disrespectful and illegal. I have no issue with any...
The last thing we need is it being easier to get a visa. Due diligence should be required of any country allowing foreigners to enter. I have zero issues when I visit a country requiring them. And this will be targeted to the most heinous offenders. I believe I saw the stats that Venezuela was the worst, with over 40% staying past their deadline. That's just disrespectful and illegal. I have no issue with any country prioritizing it's security. And if you don't know where your visitors are, you're not secure.
The point is that if you make people want to leave the country on time, you should be willing to issue more visas.
@Ben, you nailed it.
@Fsuga, the problem is what you describe is the very type of “rights infringement” that the people pushing the changes are against. They don’t want the government to track its citizens to keep us safe, but they’re all for tracking the imaginary bogeyman that “someone” has convinced them is the root of all evil.
What? Citizens and visitors are two completely different things. I would fully expect a country I visit to want to know my whereabouts and activities. When I have been asked to give up my passport upon check in to a hotel, I have never pitched a fit. If any of these people who come on a visa end up legally becoming citizens, we will welcome them and cease tracking as you call it. They will...
What? Citizens and visitors are two completely different things. I would fully expect a country I visit to want to know my whereabouts and activities. When I have been asked to give up my passport upon check in to a hotel, I have never pitched a fit. If any of these people who come on a visa end up legally becoming citizens, we will welcome them and cease tracking as you call it. They will then be afforded the same liberties we all have.
Illegals and guests are not citizens. They do not get the same benefits. Nor should they. And that's not a foreign concept. It's the same everywhere.
And after all of this they detain you at the airport, strip search you and maybe send you to El Salvador!
It's a stupid proposal of course, but it got me wondering whether some sort of "bail" system could be used for people who can't get visa for economic (not security) reasons. In the EU we often deal with people who want to visit from countries that are high risk in terms of irregular immigration. Some of these people are actually doing very well but due to being in a somewhat unusual life situation, they can't...
It's a stupid proposal of course, but it got me wondering whether some sort of "bail" system could be used for people who can't get visa for economic (not security) reasons. In the EU we often deal with people who want to visit from countries that are high risk in terms of irregular immigration. Some of these people are actually doing very well but due to being in a somewhat unusual life situation, they can't really prove sufficient ties to their home countries . Some sort of a system where they could pay a deposit to be issued a visa and then have it refunded afterwards could be a good solution. Again, this would not apply where security reasons are the base for visa denial.
This made think of guaranteed credit cards. I had one once, until I was able to build a credit history...
oh hell yes
I think this marks the end of the soccer matches in the US next year.
An expected bonus! The round ball game is overhyped and overrated.
As the rugby ball in the Us.
Mostly nobody care about it in the world contrary to REAL Football.