The US may require foreign nationals from certain countries to pay a $15,000 (£11,300) deposit for a tourist or business visa.
The 12-month pilot programme aims to curb visa overstays "or where screening and vetting information is considered deficient", according to a notice published by the US state department.
It does not specify which countries are covered by the pilot programme.
The US administration has taken several steps to further President Donald Trump's agenda of stemming illegal immigration.
Trump signed an executive order on the first day of his second term to this effect.
