The US State Department has expanded the list of countries whose citizens are required to post visa deposits when applying for B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas. Georgia is included in the updated list.
According to the decision, the visa deposit program will be expanded to 50 countries, including Central Asian countries, starting April 2. Applicants can submit a deposit of up to $15,000. This deposit is refundable provided visa requirements are met, including timely departure from the US or cancellation of the trip. Otherwise, the amount will be forfeited.
Under the program, holders of these visas will be able to enter and exit the country only through three international airports: Boston Logan Airport, New York Kennedy Airport, and Washington Dulles Airport. The pilot visa deposit program was launched last year. US authorities explain this as a need to reduce the number of visa overstays: they estimate that deporting one person costs the budget approximately $18,000.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the introduction of bail is due to the high rate of visa violations by Georgian citizens and is part of the Trump administration's tightened immigration policy. The ministry called on Georgian citizens to strictly adhere to the rules of stay in the United States, emphasizing that this is necessary to continue dialogue with the American side on visa restrictions.
