Applying For US Green Card? New Trump Admin's Proposal Could Require A Bond Of Up To $100,000

Published 16 July 2026 · india

Applying For US Green Card? New Trump Admin's Proposal Could Require A Bond Of Up To $100,000 Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 16:51

Applying For US Green Card? New Trump Admin's Proposal Could Require A Bond Of Up To $100,000 Published By, Last Updated: July 16, 2026, 16:51 IST A new US immigration proposal could require certain Green Card applicants to deposit up to $100,000 as a refundable bond, adding a major hurdle for immigrants. Under the proposal being reviewed by the US State Department, certain applicants seeking immigrant visas through American consulates abroad could be required to deposit a financial bond before receiving approval.(Representational Image) The Donald Trump administration is considering a proposal that could require certain Green Card applicants applying from outside the United States to post a financial bond of up to $100,000, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The proposed pilot programme would introduce a new financial requirement for some immigrant visa applicants seeking permanent residency in the US. While officials have not finalised the details, the move could create additional hurdles for immigrants already navigating a lengthy and complex immigration process. What Is The Proposed Green Card Bond? Under the proposal being reviewed by the US State Department, certain applicants seeking immigrant visas through American consulates abroad could be required to deposit a financial bond before receiving approval. Immigrant visas allow recipients to enter the United States as lawful permanent residents, commonly known as Green Card holders.

According to the report, key features of the proposed system include Applicants may be required to post a bond of up to $100,000. The programme would initially be rolled out in a limited number of countries. Family members already living in the US could post the bond on behalf of applicants. The bond would be refundable after the individual successfully becomes a US citizen. Officials have not yet announced which countries or categories of applicants would be included in the pilot programme. Why Could Indians Be Affected? The proposal comes at a time when Indian nationals already face some of the longest waits for permanent residency in the United States, particularly under employment-based visa categories. India accounts for a large share of highly skilled professionals seeking US Green Cards, but federal immigration rules impose strict limits on how many permanent residency visas can be issued to applicants from any one country each year. The United States grants around 140,000 employment-based Green Cards annually. However, a per-country cap restricts any single nation to no more than 7% of the total allotment in a fiscal year, effectively limiting India’s annual share to roughly 9,800 visas. As demand from Indian professionals far exceeds this quota, a massive backlog has built up over the years. Various estimates suggest that more than one million Indian nationals—including primary applicants, spouses and dependent children—are currently waiting in the employment-based Green Card queue, with many facing wait times stretching into decades.