Rosen Demands State Department Reverse Program to Impose New, Costly Fees on International Travelers

WASHINGTON, DC –Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) sent aletterurging Secretary of State Marco Rubio to suspend implementation of the proposed Visa Bond Pilot Program, which will impose a substantial fee on international visitors seeking to obtain a business visitor or tourist visa to the United States. This program could further harm the tourism industry in Nevada, which isalready strugglingas a result of President Trump’s chaotic trade and immigration policies.
“Las Vegas has already experienced more than a seven percent decrease in tourism through June of 2025 compared to the first six months of the previous year, and the Visa Bond Pilot Program will only further deter visitors,”wrote Senator Rosen.“This restriction 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.”
“With major global events on the horizon, such as the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics, states need to maximize tourism opportunities, not restrict them,”continued Senator Rosen.“In light of these concerns, I request that the Department of State suspend implementation of the Visa Bond Pilot Program.”
The full letter can be foundHERE.
Senator Rosen has been a leader in working to support Nevada’s travel and tourism industry. As the former chair of the Senate subcommittee overseeing tourism, she worked across party lines to support this critical industry, including via her landmarkOmnibus Travel and Tourism Act, which was signed into law at the end of 2022. As a lead author of the airports section of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senator Rosenhelped create the Airport Terminal Programto provide funding to help airports expand and rebuild their terminals to improve the traveler experience. She has also beenoutspokenabout the harm that Trump’s reckless tariffs will have on tourism in Nevada. She brought$3 billionin funding to Nevada for the historic Brightline West high-speed rail project that will serve Las Vegas and Southern California, increasing the number of visitors coming into the state.
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