The Trump Administration expands the controversial pilot program requiring refundable deposits from citizens of various nations, now including Nicaragua, Cuba, and Venezuela, as a measure to curb overstays of immigration visas
By Yarely Madrid
The U.S. State Department has reaffirmed and expanded the scope of its Nonimmigrant Visa Bond Pilot Program. Starting in the first quarter of 2026, citizens of a select group of countries, including Nicaragua due to its recent inclusion, will be required to make a deposit of up to $15,000 as a prerequisite for obtaining a tourist or business visa.
This measure, which aims to strengthen border controls, seeks to ensure that visitors leave U.S. territory before their authorized stay expires.
The mechanism operates under a strict economic premise where the applicant must demonstrate sufficient financial stability to make a deposit that typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000.
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How does it work?
This exact amount is determined at the discretion of the consular officer during the interview, based on the individual’s socioeconomic profile and historical overstay statistics from their country of origin. According to current guidelines, this money is managed through the Department of the Treasury and is fully refundable, provided the traveler fulfills the commitment to leave the country on the agreed-upon date and does not engage in prohibited activities, such as paid employment or studying without the proper authorization.
Immigration authorities maintain that by requiring an advance payment, the financial responsibility for immigration control is shifted directly to the traveler.
The selection of these countries is not random, but rather based on a calculation that considers the percentage of citizens who, after entering with a B1/B2 visa, decide not to return to their countries of origin. However, the inclusion of new countries in 2026 suggests that the criteria are becoming more rigorous and that the administration seeks to expand the “economic incentive” model as the standard for consular relations with countries considered high-risk for migration.
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Impact in Latin America and the World
With the addition of 12 new countries in April, the total list reaches 50. Among the new additions are Nicaragua and Grenada, joining nations such as Cuba and Venezuela, which were already on the list due to their high rates of irregular migration.
The U.S. government estimates that this measure will save taxpayers up to $800 million annually in operating costs related to locating and deporting people who remain illegally after their tourist visas expire.
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