The United States (US) Embassy Namibia says the visa bonds that range from N$8 000 to N$240 000 were based on how much it costs taxpayers in the US when visitors overstay or break the rules.
This includes the cost of finding, detaining, and eventually deporting someone whose visa has expired.
The visa bond programme was implemented in Namibia as well 37 other countries as part of a global pilot programme on 1 January.
US embassy in Namibia spokesperson Ryan Bradeen says the bond amounts have been established in consultation with the US Department of the Treasury and the Department of Homeland Security.
“Cost estimates associated with immigration enforcement were taken into account, including the full immigration enforcement lifecycle – ending in removal – which the Department of Homeland Security estimates at approximately US$17 121 (approximately N$272 223) per individual,” he says.
Bradeen says the pilot programme was put in place “to protect the American people and prevent overstays”.
“This pilot programme reflects the commitment of the US government under the leadership of president Donald Trump to protect the American people, enforce our immigration laws, and safeguard US taxpayer resources by reducing illegal overstays,” he says.
The visa bond programme was recently implemented in Namibia, as well 37 other countries.
Bradeen says the bond does not apply to those who already have visas, and applicants will still have to pay the usual visa fees.
He says the visa bond is not a fee and is refundable if travellers respect the terms of their US visas.
Upon returning home, the visa bond will be automatically cancelled and the money refunded to the traveler if all visa requirements have been met, including not working in the US and departing on time.
“We also want to emphasise that the visa bond applies only to individuals applying for B1/B2 (business/tourist) visas. Students traveling to the United States on ‘F’ or ‘M’ visas are not subject to the visa bond requirement,” Bradeen says.
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