US Expands Visa Bond Rule: B1/B2 Visitors from 38 Nations Face $15,000 Deposit

The United States has substantially expanded its Visa Bond Pilot Program, marking a major shift in how short-term visitors are regulated. Under the revised framework, travellers from 38 countries applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas may now be required to post a refundable cash bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before entering the country.

The move signals Washington’s tougher stance on visa compliance and overstay prevention, with financial liability emerging as a central enforcement tool for temporary visitors.

What Is the US Visa Bond Pilot Programme?

(What is the US visa bond programme?)

The Visa Bond Pilot Program was introduced under the administration of Donald Trump to curb visa overstays by travellers from countries identified as high-risk based on historical overstay data or the presence of citizenship-by-investment schemes.

The programme came into force on August 20, 2025, and is scheduled to remain operational until August 5, 2026. Initially, it applied to just 13 countries, but the latest expansion makes it one of the most extensive compliance measures ever applied to US visitor visas.

With the January 2026 update, the number of affected countries has increased to 38, significantly widening the programme’s reach.

Expanded Country List: Who Is Newly Covered?

The US State Department, in a notification issued on January 8, 2026, confirmed that 25 additional countries will be added to the programme from January 21, 2026.

Countries Drawing Global Attention

Some of the most closely watched additions include:

• Bangladesh

• Nepal

• Nigeria

Earlier, Bhutan had attracted scrutiny due to its high visa-overstay rate, which made it a notable inclusion even before the latest expansion.

Visa overstay assessments are based on B1/B2 overstay rates published in the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report, with the programme legally anchored in INA Section 221(g)(3) and governed by a Temporary Final Rule (TFR).

Who Must Pay the Visa Bond?

(Who does the bond apply to?)

The bond requirement applies to:

• Citizens or nationals of listed countries

• Travelling on passports issued by those countries

• Who are otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa

Importantly, eligibility for a visa does not guarantee exemption from the bond.

The bond amount—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—is decided only at the visa interview, following a risk assessment by the consular officer.

The State Department has clearly cautioned applicants:

“A bond does not guarantee visa issuance,”

Applicants have also been warned not to make any payment unless explicitly instructed by a US consular official.

How and When the Visa Bond Must Be Paid

(How the bond must be paid)

Official Payment Process

• Applicants must submit Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 (Immigration Bond)

• Only after receiving instructions from a consular officer

• Payment must be made exclusively via Pay.gov, the US government’s official payment portal

Strict Warning Against Third-Party Payments

US authorities have issued strong advisories against using:

• Agents

• Intermediaries

• Unofficial websites

Any funds paid outside official US government systems will not be the responsibility of the US government.

Entry and Exit Conditions Under the Bond

(Entry and exit restrictions)

To comply with bond conditions, travellers must:

• Enter and exit the US only through designated ports of entry

• Ensure their departure is properly recorded

Failure to follow these conditions may result in:

• Denied entry

• Improper exit records

• Possible bond forfeiture

Designated Ports of Entry

• Boston Logan (BOS) – August 20, 2025

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – August 20, 2025

• Washington Dulles (IAD) – August 20, 2025

• Newark Liberty (EWR) – January 1, 2026

• Atlanta (ATL) – January 1, 2026

• Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – January 1, 2026

• Los Angeles (LAX) – January 1, 2026

• Toronto Pearson (YYZ) – January 1, 2026

• Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) – January 1, 2026

Additional ports will be added on a rolling basis, according to US authorities.

When Is the Bond Refunded—and When Is It Forfeited?

(When the bond is refunded, and when it isn’t)

Bond Is Automatically Refunded If

• The traveller leaves the US on or before the authorised stay

• The traveller does not enter the US before the visa expires

• The traveller is denied admission at a US port of entry

Bond May Be Forfeited If

Cases involving:

• Visa overstays

• Failure to depart

• Applications for status adjustment or asylum

will be referred by DHS to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for further determination.

Why the US Is Tightening Visitor Visa Compliance

US policymakers argue that visa overstays account for a significant share of undocumented migration, and financial bonds are seen as a deterrent mechanism that encourages timely departure without imposing blanket bans.

However, immigration experts warn that the policy could:

• Increase travel costs

• Affect tourism, business travel, and diaspora visits

• Disproportionately impact travellers from developing economies

Conclusion

The expansion of the US Visa Bond Pilot Program represents a decisive shift toward financial enforcement of immigration compliance. By requiring B1/B2 visitors from 38 countries to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000, the US has significantly raised the stakes for short-term travel.

While the policy aims to reduce visa overstays and strengthen border oversight, it also introduces new financial and procedural hurdles for legitimate travellers. As the programme continues through August 2026, its effectiveness—and its broader impact on global mobility—will be closely watched by governments, travellers, and immigration analysts alike.