The United States (US) Embassy Namibia says the visa bonds that range from N$8 000 to N$240 000 were based on how much it costs taxpayers in the US when visitors overstay or break the rules. The visa bond programme was implemented in Namibia as well 37 other countries as part of a global pilot programme on 1 January. Bradeen says the pilot programme was put in place “to protect the American people and prevent overstays”. The visa bond programme was recently implemented in Namibia, as well 37 other countries. Students traveling to the United States on ‘F’ or ‘M’ visas are not subject to the visa bond requirement,” Bradeen says.