ახალი წესი აშშ ვიზებისთვის – 20 აგვისტოდან

The U.S. Department of State has launched a one‑year pilot program starting on August 20, 2025, requiring certain tourist and business visa applicants to post a refundable deposit of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition for visa issuance.

What you need to know:

• The program applies to citizens of countries with high visa overstay rates or where applicant screening is deemed insufficient. Initially, only Malawi and Zambia are on the list, but more countries may be added in the future. The full list will be published on travel.state.gov at least 15 days before the program takes effect.

• The deposit amount is determined during the consular interview — most often $10,000, but in some cases $5,000 or $15,000.

• The deposit is refundable if the visa holder fully complies with visa terms and departs the United States on time. In case of an overstay or violation, the deposit will be forfeited.

• Visas issued under the pilot program are single‑entry, valid for a maximum of three months, and visitors are typically not allowed to stay longer than 30 days. Entry and exit must be through specifically designated airports (for example: JFK, Dulles, Boston Logan).