The Trump administration is considering a new financial hurdle for certain green card seekers: a refundable bond of up to $100,000 that some immigrant visa applicants would have to post before moving to the United States. The proposal, reported in mid-July 2026, is under review at the State Department and would apply to select applicants processing at U.S. consulates abroad.
Under the concept being examined, an applicant would pay the bond up front and receive the money back only after naturalizing as a U.S. citizen — a process that typically takes at least five years. The bond would function as collateral: if a green card holder relocated to the U.S. and then became unable to support themselves, the funds could be forfeited. Officials are studying whether existing authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act already permits consular officers to require large financial bonds as proof that applicants can support themselves without relying on public assistance.
The idea fits a broader pattern of steep, wealth-based immigration barriers. In September 2025, the administration imposed a $100,000 fee on employers filing H-1B petitions for skilled workers — a fee later struck down in June 2026 by U.S. District Judge Leo Sorokin, who ruled the administration lacked authority to impose it without Congress. Separately, officials have floated a $1 million ‘gold card’ visa concept. Because the green card bond would be refundable, its legal footing may differ from the blocked H-1B fee, but critics argue all three measures share a goal of screening immigrants by wealth.
Immigration advocates warn the bond could effectively price out family-based immigrants and lower-income applicants, describing it as turning the system into ‘pay-to-play.’ Because the proposal targets consular immigrant visa processing, it would most directly affect people applying from abroad — including many family-sponsored beneficiaries — rather than those adjusting status inside the U.S.
Important caveat: as of this writing, the $100,000 bond remains a proposal under internal review, not a final rule. No effective date has been set, and any formal policy would likely face legal challenges. Prospective applicants should watch for an official announcement before making decisions.
Need help with your immigration petition? Visit QuickFiling.us for AI-guided NIW and EB-1A petition preparation.
Source: 1Point3Acres (一亩三分地)