The Trump administration is moving towards tightening entry restrictions, with a new measure that could make it more burdensome for citizens of certain countries to obtain a visa.

In the latest in a series of anti-immigration policies, the Trump administration has announced a pilot measure that requires some visa applicants to put down a $15,000 deposit.

The decision, published in the Federal Register will be tested for a year starting 20 August and aims to ensure that visitors adhere to the legally prescribed length of stay.

According to the US State Department, the bond will only be refunded after the visa holder leaves the US and their visa expires. The US State Department has said the pilot will so far include Zambia and Malawi. It has made it clear that the measure will apply to “nationals of countries with high overstay rates” or those that raise suspicions due to the lack of reliable monitoring systems.

The measure comes as the US, along with Canada and Mexico, prepares to host the FIFA World Cup in the summer of 2026, followed by the Olympic Games in San Francisco in 2028.

The decision covers both tourist and business visas.