More countries added to Visitor Visa Bond Pilot Program

 

Earlier this week, the Department of State (DOS) added 25 more countries to its temporary visitor visa bond program. Citizens of these countries who apply for a visitor (B-1/B-2) visa may be required to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 in order to obtain the visa.

Effective January 21, 2026, the visa bond requirement will apply to citizens of the following countries: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

These countries join Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia, which were added during earlier phases of the pilot program and already have visa bond requirements in effect.

By way of background, the visa bond requirement was revived in August 2025, through a temporary final rule establishing a 12-month pilot program effective from August 20, 2025 through August 5, 2026. Under the program, certain B-1 and B-2 visa applicants may be required to post a bond prior to visa issuance. The bond is intended to ensure compliance with the terms of visitor status and is refundable only if the government determines that the traveler complied with all conditions of their stay.

According to the DOS, countries are added to the program based on factors such as:

  • High visitor visa overstay rates.

  • Limitations in available screening and vetting information.

  • Citizenship-by-Investment programs with minimal or no residency requirements.

Additional countries may be added at any time during the pilot period, provided that the DOS publishes notice on its website at least 15 days before the effective date.

Visitor visa applicants from affected countries will be informed of the bond requirement during their consular interview. If a consular officer determines that the applicant otherwise qualifies for a visitor visa, the officer will notify the applicant that a bond is required and specify the bond amount. The DOS has indicated that officers will generally set the bond at $10,000, but may require $5,000 or $15,000 depending on the applicant’s individual circumstances. 

The applicant will then have to pay the bond online using Form I-352 through the Department of the Treasury’s Pay.gov portal. Once payment is confirmed, the consular officer will complete a final review and, if approved, issue the visa.  The B-1/B-2 visa will be valid for three months and for a single entry.  The period of admission will be limited to 30 days.  

Individuals subject to the visa bond requirement must enter the U.S. through designated ports of entry, which currently include:

  • Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

  • John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

  • Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

  • Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

  • Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

  • Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

  • Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  • Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

  • Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

The bond will be fully refunded after the traveler timely departs the United States or does not travel to the US during the validity period of the visa. 

The DOS has outlined several actions that may be treated as a breach of bond conditions, which could result in the bond being forfeited, including: 

  • Violating any condition of visitor status.

  • Remaining in the U.S. beyond the authorized period of admission.

  • Filing an untimely application to extend stay or change status.

  • Failing to depart within 10 days after denial of a timely and properly filed extension or change of status request.

Posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance.  If the visa is ultimately denied, the bond will be cancelled and the funds will be returned to the applicant.  

The visa bond pilot program is scheduled to end on August 5, 2026.  We will continue to monitor the implementation of this program and keep you updated. 

Please contact us if you would like to discuss this development further.

 
Nadia Yakoob