Fiji Airways is closely monitoring a new visa bond requirement put forth by the United States, which has the potential to sharply increase travel costs for Fijians heading to the U.S. Starting January 21, Fiji will participate in a U.S. pilot program that mandates certain travelers applying for B1 and B2 visas, intended for tourism or business, to post a bond that ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 before being granted their visa.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the bond amount will be determined during the visa interview process and will only be applicable if the applicant meets all eligibility requirements. Importantly, the bond can be refunded if travelers leave the U.S. on schedule, do not travel, or are denied entry. Conversely, the bond may be forfeited if an individual overstays their visa, remains in the country illegally, or attempts to alter their immigration status after arrival.
Under this new requirement, bond-paying travelers must enter and exit the U.S. exclusively through designated airports. While earlier communications indicated that only airports such as Boston Logan, New York’s JFK, and Washington Dulles would be involved, Los Angeles has recently been added as a qualifying airport, which is advantageous for Fiji Airways, as it serves this route.
A representative from Fiji Airways confirmed that affected travelers will be required to travel through approved entry points, including Los Angeles. The airline is actively collaborating with the Fijian government to provide support and resources to assist passengers during this transition.
While Fiji Airways has not disclosed whether this change has impacted advance bookings, they emphasized that they are continually assessing the situation as new information surfaces. The U.S. government has stated that this policy is based on data regarding visa overstays and is being implemented as a pilot initiative.
For many Fijians, the bond requirement may pose significant financial challenges and could make travel to the United States prohibitively expensive, particularly for families, students, and small business owners. Authorities caution that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval, and applicants should only make the payment if explicitly instructed by a U.S. consular officer. This new program will affect all applicants, regardless of their visa application location.
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