Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed a new pilot program set to launch on August 20, requiring some tourist and business visa applicants to pay a bond of up to $15,000 before being allowed to travel to the United States.
Sierra Leone is among the nations identified by U.S. Customs and Border Protection data from fiscal year 2023 as having particularly high rates of visa overstays, suggesting that Sierra Leonean applicants could be significantly affected by this new policy.
The proposed program, detailed in a recent U.S. government notice, grants U.S. consular officers the discretion to impose these substantial bonds on visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates or where “screening and vetting information is deemed insufficient.” While the exact list of affected countries will be updated, the inclusion of Sierra Leone in overstay data raises concerns for prospective travelers from the West African nation.
Under the one-year pilot program, which revives a similar initiative briefly introduced in the final months of Trump’s first term in 2020 but not fully implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic, consular officers will have three bond options: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. It is generally expected that a minimum of $10,000 will be required.
These funds would be returned to travelers if they depart the U.S. in accordance with the terms of their visas. However, failure to comply could result in the forfeiture of the bond to cover costs associated with potential deportation.
This move by the Trump administration aligns with its broader focus on tightening immigration policies, including efforts to curb illegal immigration and address visa overstays. A State Department spokesperson indicated that countries would be identified for the program based on criteria such as high overstay rates, deficiencies in screening and vetting, and concerns regarding citizenship-by-investment schemes without residency requirements, as well as broader foreign policy considerations.
This proposed bond program adds to a series of recent U.S. travel restrictions that have already impacted Sierra Leonean citizens. As of June 9, 2025, the United States suspended new visa issuance for tourist/business (B-1/B-2), student (F/M/J), and all immigrant visas for Sierra Leone, among other nations.
While certain categories like work visas and diplomatic visas may still be available, this broad suspension has created significant hurdles for many Sierra Leoneans seeking to travel to the U.S.
Furthermore, Sierra Leone was also included in a travel ban signed by President Trump in June 2025, which fully or partially blocks citizens of 19 nations from entering the U.S. on national security grounds. For Sierra Leone specifically, this meant facing “partial restrictions and limited entry,” further complicating travel plans.
Critics, including the U.S. Travel Association, a body representing major tourism-related companies, have voiced concerns that such financial requirements could hinder international travel. The association also highlighted a separate “visa integrity fee” of $250, effective October 1, which will be levied on non-immigrant visa approvals, potentially making the U.S. one of the most expensive destinations for visitors globally.
While the State Department has not provided an estimate of the number of visa applicants who could be affected, the emphasis on countries with high overstay rates suggests that many prospective Sierra Leonean travelers could face this new financial hurdle, in addition to existing restrictions.
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