US Travel Industry Raises Alarm Over Possible Expansion of Visa Bond Rules

The US travel industry is warning that a broader application of the Trump administration’s visa bond policy could discourage international visitors and hurt the country’s economy.
The concern comes after the US Department of State made permanent a programme that allows consular officers to demand refundable bonds from certain tourist and business visa applicants from 50 countries. The bonds can reach $20,000 under the programme described by Reuters.
Geoff Freeman, president of the US Travel Association, said there were indications that the requirement could eventually be extended to more countries, potentially covering all nations whose citizens require US visas.
“There are already...