THE United States is preparing to implement a pilot programme in the coming weeks that may require tourists and business travellers from certain countries to post bonds of up to US$15,000. The initiative is part of a broader effort to address visa overstays by foreign nationals.

A recent report from US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) revealed that in Fiscal Year 2023, over 3,100 Guyanese nationals who entered the country on non-immigrant B1/B2 visas—typically used for tourism and business—remained in the US beyond their authorised stay.

Despite this figure, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot, has made it clear that Guyanese applicants are not currently included in the list of countries affected by the new bond requirement.

“Right now, this programme does not apply to Guyanese citizens. As far as I’m aware, Guyana’s overstay rate isn’t particularly high,” Ambassador Theriot told reporters. She added, “At this stage, there’s no indication that Guyana will be included, and I would be quite surprised if that changed.”

The US Embassy in Georgetown had earlier issued a public reminder warning non-immigrant visa holders about the consequences of overstaying their permitted time in the US.

According to a notice shared via the Embassy’s social media platforms, overstaying a visa could lead to a permanent ban from entering the United States.

Visa holders are urged to respect the conditions of their stay. The B1/B2 visa generally allows for a stay of up to six months, but travellers must ensure they leave before the period expires. Failure to do so may result in long-term or even lifetime entry restrictions.