Chinese students waiting outside the US embassy in Beijing for visa application interviews in 2012. AP
Chinese students waiting outside the US embassy in Beijing for visa application interviews in 2012. AP
Chinese students waiting outside the US embassy in Beijing for visa application interviews in 2012. AP
Chinese students waiting outside the US embassy in Beijing for visa application interviews in 2012. AP

US could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist visas under pilot scheme


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The US could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas under a pilot programme being launched in two weeks, a government notice said on Monday.

The programme is designed to crack down on visitors who overstay their visas. The move may make an already expensive process unaffordable for many.

“Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure and who are nationals of countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering citizenship by investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot programme,” said a preview of a notice to be posted in the Federal Register on Tuesday.

It was not clear which countries would be affected but the notice said the list would be made public when the programme takes effect.

The bond would not apply to citizens of countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Programme, which enables travel for business or tourism for up to 90 days.

The State Department said that under the 12-month pilot programme, people could be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 when they apply for a visa. The funds will be returned to travellers if they depart within the terms of their visas, the notice said.

It said the pilot programme is aimed at ensuring the US government does not become financially liable if a visitor fails to comply with their visa terms.

Donald Trump has made curbing illegal immigration a focus of his presidency, boosting resources to secure the border and arrest people who are illegally in the US.

Last week, the State Department announced that many visa renewal applicants would have to undergo an in-person interview, something that was not previously required. The administration issued a travel ban in June that fully or partly blocks citizens of 19 nations from entering the US, on national security grounds.

While the notice singles out countries offering citizenship through investment, the administration introduced the Trump Gold Card in recent months, which provides a path to residency and citizenship if a person commits to investing at least $5 million in the US.

A similar pilot programme was launched in November 2020, two months before the end of Mr Trump's first term in office. That scheme was not fully implemented due to the drop in global travel because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Trump administration continues to revoke the visas of international students who have taken part in pro-Palestine activism and says it will screen applicants' social media for anti-Semitic content.

Cryopreservation: A timeline
  1. Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic
  2. Ovarian tissue surgically removed
  3. Tissue processed in a high-tech facility
  4. Tissue re-implanted at a time of the patient’s choosing
  5. Full hormone production regained within 4-6 months
MATCH INFO

Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)

Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)

RESULTS

6.30pm Handicap (TB) $68,000 (Dirt) 1,200m

Winner Canvassed, Par Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)

7.05pm Meydan Cup – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (Turf) 2,810m

Winner Dubai Future, Frankie Dettori, Saeed bin Suroor

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $125,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Mouheeb, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard

8.15pm Firebreak Stakes – Group 3 (TB) $130,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Secret Ambition, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

9.50pm Meydan Classic – Conditions (TB) $$50,000 (T) 1,400m

Winner Topper Bill, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar

9.25pm Dubai Sprint – Listed Handicap (TB) $88,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Man Of Promise, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

How to protect yourself when air quality drops

Install an air filter in your home.

Close your windows and turn on the AC.

Shower or bath after being outside.

Wear a face mask.

Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.

If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.

RESULTS

Women:

55kg brown-black belt: Amal Amjahid (BEL) bt Amanda Monteiro (BRA) via choke
62kg brown-black belt: Bianca Basilio (BRA) bt Ffion Davies (GBR) via referee’s decision (0-0, 2-2 adv)
70kg brown-black belt: Ana Carolina Vieira (BRA) bt Jessica Swanson (USA), 9-0
90kg brown-black belt: Angelica Galvao (USA) bt Marta Szarecka (POL) 8-2

Men:

62kg black belt: Joao Miyao (BRA) bt Wan Ki-chae (KOR), 7-2
69kg black belt: Paulo Miyao (BRA) bt Gianni Grippo (USA), 2-2 (1-0 adv)
77kg black belt: Espen Mathiesen (NOR) bt Jake Mackenzie (CAN)
85kg black belt: Isaque Braz (BRA) bt Faisal Al Ketbi (UAE), 2-0
94kg black belt: Felipe Pena (BRA) bt Adam Wardzinski (POL), 4-0
110kg black belt final: Erberth Santos (BRA) bt Lucio Rodrigues (GBR) via rear naked choke

The Buckingham Murders

Starring: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ash Tandon, Prabhleen Sandhu

Director: Hansal Mehta

Rating: 4 / 5

RESULT

West Brom 2 Liverpool 2
West Brom: Livermore (79'), Rondón (88' ) 
Liverpool: Ings (4'), Salah (72') 

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The%C2%A0specs%20
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE BIO

Favourite place to go to in the UAE: The desert sand dunes, just after some rain

Who inspires you: Anybody with new and smart ideas, challenging questions, an open mind and a positive attitude

Where would you like to retire: Most probably in my home country, Hungary, but with frequent returns to the UAE

Favorite book: A book by Transilvanian author, Albert Wass, entitled ‘Sword and Reap’ (Kard es Kasza) - not really known internationally

Favourite subjects in school: Mathematics and science

The%20specs
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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

The%20specs
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Updated: August 05, 2025, 8:28 AM