Will Green Card Applicants Have to Pay a $100,000 Bond?
You may have recently seen news reports saying that some green card applicants could be required to post a bond of up to $100,000 before receiving a green card.
Understandably, this has caused a lot of concern. Many of my current and prospective clients have asked whether this is already the law, whether China may be included, and whether they should change their immigration plans.
Here is what we know so far.
First, Don't Panic
The most important thing to know is that this is not currently a general rule that has taken effect.
While several news outlets have reported that the Trump administration is considering a green card bond program, the U.S. government has not yet published a final policy explaining:
Who would be affected;
Which countries would be included;
How much each applicant would have to pay;
When the policy would begin; or
How the bond would work.
For now, this remains a reported proposal, not an official nationwide requirement.
What Is a Green Card Bond?
A bond is similar to a large security deposit.
Under the reported proposal, certain people applying for an immigrant visa outside the United States could be required to deposit money with the U.S. government before receiving their immigrant visa.
Current reports mention that the bond could be as much as $100,000, but that does not mean every applicant would have to pay $100,000.
If implemented, the amount may depend on the applicant's circumstances, and in some situations a family member may be allowed to post the bond on the applicant's behalf.
Many important details remain unknown.
Who Could Be Affected?
Based on the available information, the proposal appears to focus on people applying for an immigrant visa through a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States, a process commonly called consular processing.
There is currently no clear indication that the proposal would apply to applicants filing Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) inside the United States.
For many marriage-based green card applicants who are already in the United States and eligible to adjust status, this proposal may not affect their cases.
However, we need to wait for official government guidance before reaching any final conclusions.
Will Every Green Card Applicant Have to Pay $100,000?
No.
Even if this proposal becomes official, current reports suggest it would apply only to certain applicants, not everyone.
The government has not explained exactly how applicants would be selected or how the bond amount would be determined.
Which Countries May Be Included?
At this time, no official country list has been released.
Some immigration commentators have speculated that the government could focus on countries already identified under other immigration or public-benefit policies.
However, this is only speculation.
The government has not confirmed that the proposed green card bond would use the same country list as any existing visa restriction or visa bond program.
Until official guidance is published, any country list circulating online should be treated with caution.
Will China Be Included?
As of July 17, 2026, the U.S. government has not announced that China will be included.
It is possible that China could be included if the proposal moves forward, but there is currently no official information supporting that conclusion.
Chinese applicants should continue following the normal immigration process unless the Department of State announces otherwise.
Is This Related to the Public Charge Rule?
Yes—but they are not the same thing.
The public charge rule allows the government to evaluate whether an applicant is likely to become primarily dependent on certain government assistance in the future.
A bond would be an additional financial safeguard. In simple terms, the government could potentially say:
"We are willing to approve your immigrant visa, but we want a financial deposit first."
Exactly how a bond program would interact with the public charge rule has not yet been explained.
Should I Delay Filing My Green Card Case?
In most situations, no.
A news report about a proposal is generally not a reason to delay filing your immigration case.
Waiting may create other problems, including longer processing times, visa availability issues, aging-out concerns for children, or changes in eligibility.
Every case is different, so major decisions should be based on your individual circumstances rather than speculation on social media.
Should I Pay Someone Who Claims They Can Handle the Bond?
No.
At this time, there is no general government process requiring green card applicants to pay a $100,000 bond.
Please be cautious of scams.
Do not send money to anyone claiming they can reserve a bond, guarantee approval, or protect your case from this proposed policy.
Government fees should always come through official U.S. government channels or through your attorney.
What Should Current Clients Do?
If you are already a client of Ying Xiang, Esq., you do not need to take any action right now unless I contact you directly.
Please continue completing your documents and following the instructions provided through your Clio portal.
If an official rule is published and it affects your case, I will carefully review the new policy and provide guidance based on your individual situation.
What If I'm Thinking About Starting My Green Card Case?
If you are considering filing a family-based green card case, do not assume you will automatically be required to pay a $100,000 bond.
Whether this proposal could affect you may depend on factors such as:
Whether you are applying inside or outside the United States;
Your country of citizenship;
Your financial circumstances;
Your sponsor's financial qualifications; and
The final government policy, if one is adopted.
An individual consultation can help you understand how current immigration policies may affect your specific case.
Final Thoughts
The reported $100,000 green card bond has understandably raised many questions. However, it is not currently a general requirement for all green card applicants.
At this time:
No official rule has been published.
No official list of affected countries has been released.
China has not been officially identified as an affected country.
Many important details remain unknown.
For now, the best approach is to continue your immigration case as planned, avoid relying on rumors or social media, and wait for official government guidance.
Ying Xiang, Esq. will continue monitoring this issue closely. If the U.S. government announces an official policy, I will promptly explain what it means, who may be affected, and what steps clients should take.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently, and every case is unique. Reading this article does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you have questions about your specific situation, please consult with an experienced immigration attorney.
