Washington, D.C., Aug. 1: The United States will make its visa bond program permanent beginning August 3, 2026, requiring certain applicants for B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas from 50 designated countries to post a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before a visa can be issued. The program, initially introduced as a pilot in 2025, is intended to reduce visa overstays and strengthen immigration compliance.
Under the new rule, the maximum bond amount has increased from $15,000 to `$20,000, while the previous $5,000 bond option has been eliminated. Consular officers will determine whether a bond is required and the amount based on individual cases. Officials say the bond will be refunded if travelers comply with the terms of their visas and depart the United States on time.
The 50 countries currently subject to the visa bond program are:
1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Antigua and Barbuda
4. Bangladesh
5. Benin
6. Bhutan
7. Botswana
8. Burundi
9. Cabo Verde
10. Cambodia
11. Central African Republic
12. Côte d’Ivoire
13. Cuba
14. Djibouti
15. Dominica
16. Ethiopia
17. Fiji
18. Gabon
19. The Gambia
20. Georgia
21. Grenada
22. Guinea
23. Guinea-Bissau
24. Kyrgyz Republic
25. Lesotho
26. Malawi
27. Mauritania
28. Mauritius
29. Mongolia
30. Mozambique
31. Namibia
32. Nepal
33. Nicaragua
34. Nigeria
35. Papua New Guinea
36. São Tomé and Príncipe
37. Senegal
38. Seychelles
39. Tajikistan
40. Tanzania
41. Togo
42. Tonga
43. Tunisia
44. Turkmenistan
45. Tuvalu
46. Uganda
47. Vanuatu
48. Venezuela
49. Zambia
50. Zimbabwe.
According to the U.S. State Department, the bond requirement applies only after a consular officer determines that an applicant is otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa and instructs them to post the bond. The requirement does not automatically apply to every applicant from these countries.
Supporters argue the policy will discourage visa overstays and improve compliance with U.S. immigration laws. However, immigration advocates and civil rights groups have criticized the measure, saying it could discourage legitimate tourism and business travel while placing a financial burden on travelers from developing countries.
