A pair of proposed U.S. immigration policies—a pilot visa bond program and a new $250 “visa integrity fee”—are drawing criticism from Nevada officials and tourism advocates who warn the added costs could deter international travelers, dealing another blow to Las Vegas’ tourism sector.
Visa Bond and Fee Plans Spark Industry Alarm
The U.S. State Department has announced a 12-month pilot program requiring certain visa applicants to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Targeted at nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates and weak document security controls, the bonds would be mandatory for business and tourist visa applicants from those regions. While specifics on which countries will be affected remain pending, applicants from Visa Waiver Program countries will be exempt.
Simultaneously, Congress has passed a $250 visa integrity fee that applies to all nonimmigrant visa categories. The U.S. Travel Association voiced concern that, while the visa bond program might only affect roughly 2,000 individuals, the $250 fee would impact a far larger pool of travelers.
“The scope of the visa bond pilot program appears to be limited…,” said Erik Hansen, senior vice president of government relations at the U.S. Travel Association. “However, implementation of the visa integrity fee would mean the U.S. ‘would have one of, if not the highest, visitor visa fees in the world.’”
Las Vegas Faces Shrinking International Travel Numbers
Las Vegas, heavily reliant on international tourism, has already seen a notable decline in foreign visitor numbers. In June alone, Harry Reid International Airport reported a 9.8% drop in international passengers compared to the previous year. Through the first half of 2025, total international traffic is down 1.4%, according to the Clark County Department of Aviation.
While 2024 saw over 3.2 million international travelers—nearing pre-pandemic levels—current trends suggest that number may fall further, especially with passenger volume from Canada’s top carriers already down by double digits.
Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) addressed a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging a pause on the visa bond policy, warning that such restrictions “will not only reduce the volume of inbound visitors, but will also disrupt the steady flow of tourism-related revenue that supports countless American-owned small businesses, hotels, restaurants, and attractions.”
Lawmakers and Analysts Predict Economic Fallout
“Bonds on tourist and business visas will convince most foreigners not to bother coming,” said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the Cato Institute. “The result will be a decimated tourist industry. Tourists spend over $200 billion annually in the U.S., spending that counts as exports.”
Nevada lawmakers echoed these concerns. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) said the policy “sends a message to international travelers that they are not welcome here,” while Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) called the bond requirement a threat to the “already-hurting travel and tourism economy in Nevada and across the country.”
As Las Vegas contends with ongoing drops in tourism numbers, stakeholders across the state warn that these new federal policies could deepen the downturn and hinder recovery efforts.
Source:
“Proposed fees and bonds for visa applicants could chill international tourism that buoys Vegas”, thenevadaindependent.com, Aug 7, 2025
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