Effective August 3, 2026, the visa bond program for certain applicants seeking U.S. B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas has become permanent. The final rule was published in the Federal Register.
Under the program, a consular officer may require an applicant to post a refundable bond of up to $20,000. The measure does not apply to all foreign nationals and does not mean that every citizen of a country covered by the program will automatically have to pay the maximum amount.
The decision to require a bond is made during the review of an individual visa application. Even if an applicant meets all the requirements and is prepared to pay the bond, this does not guarantee that a U.S. visa will be issued.
What Changed on August 3
The visa bond program was introduced in August 2025 as a temporary measure. Following the pilot period, U.S. authorities decided to make it permanent.
The primary goal of the program is to reduce violations of U.S. visa rules. It is mainly aimed at travelers who remain in the United States after the end of their authorized period of stay.
According to the U.S. Department of State, nearly 1,000 visas were issued under the program, and approximately 97 percent of bonded travelers departed the United States on time.
The permanent rule allows consular officers to require a bond of up to $20,000 from applicants who otherwise qualify for a B-1/B-2 visa.
Why Different Bond Amounts Are Being Reported
Official materials mention bond amounts of $5,000, $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000.
The final rule that took effect on August 3, 2026, establishes a maximum bond amount of up to $20,000. However, the Department of State page listing the countries covered by the program identifies bond amounts of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.
This does not mean that every applicant must pay $20,000. The specific amount is determined by a consular officer based on the applicable rules and the circumstances of the individual application.
Who Is Covered by the Program
A visa bond may be required from certain applicants seeking B-1 or B-2 nonimmigrant visas.
The B-1 visa is primarily intended for temporary business travel, including negotiations, conferences and other permitted professional activities. The B-2 visa is generally used for tourism, visiting relatives, receiving medical treatment and certain other temporary purposes.
At the time of publication, citizens of 50 countries are included in the official program. However, the requirement does not automatically apply to every applicant. The decision to require a bond and determine its amount is made by a consular officer during the review of the visa application.
The program does not apply to every category of U.S. visa. The inclusion of a country on the official list also does not mean that all of its citizens must post a bond when applying for a B-1/B-2 visa.
How to Pay a Visa Bond
Applicants should not attempt to pay a bond before their visa interview or without direct instructions from a consular officer.
If a bond is required, the applicant will receive instructions for completing DHS Form I-352. The payment must be made through the official government portal Pay.gov. The bond may be paid by the applicant or by a third party.
The Department of State specifically warns that bond payments should not be made through third-party websites. Offers from intermediaries to pay the bond in advance, speed up the process or guarantee visa approval may be fraudulent.
Posting a bond does not replace the visa application fee, eliminate the interview requirement or guarantee visa approval. If a visa is denied after the bond has been posted, the money is subject to refund under the established procedure.
This Is Not an Additional Visa Fee
A visa bond is not a new consular fee or a nonrefundable payment for processing an application. The money is temporarily held as a financial guarantee that the traveler will comply with the conditions of admission and leave the United States on time.
The applicant must still pay the standard visa application fee. The two payments serve different purposes. The visa application fee is generally nonrefundable, even if the application is denied. The visa bond, in contrast, should be refunded if all required conditions are met.
Travelers should also understand that a significant amount of money may remain unavailable for an extended period. Therefore, even though the bond is refundable, it can create a substantial financial burden for applicants.
When the Money Is Refunded
The bond is refunded to the person who paid it if the traveler complies with the conditions of the program.
A refund may be issued after the Department of Homeland Security confirms that the traveler departed the United States on time. The money may also be returned if the visa holder does not use the visa before it expires or if the traveler is denied admission to the United States at a port of entry.
It is important to understand the difference between the validity of a visa and the authorized period of stay. The visa expiration date shows how long the document may be used to request admission to the United States. The actual length of stay is determined by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry.
The date through which a traveler is authorized to remain in the country is generally recorded electronically on Form I-94. This is the date the traveler must follow, even if the visa itself remains valid for several more months or years.
What May Be Considered a Violation
Problems with the return of a bond may arise if a traveler remains in the United States beyond the authorized period or violates other conditions of their nonimmigrant status.
Certain attempts to change nonimmigrant status may also be considered a violation under the rules of the program. Official materials specifically mention filing an asylum application.
Each case is reviewed individually. Applicants with questions should consult a licensed immigration attorney. Information shared on social media or in unofficial online groups is not a substitute for professional legal advice.
Entry and Departure Restrictions
Travelers entering the United States with a bonded visa are subject to specific route requirements.
Entry and departure must take place through designated airports serving international commercial flights. Airports with U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facilities may also be used.
Travel through a land or sea port of entry may not comply with the conditions of the program. Restrictions may also apply to charter flights and private aviation. Travelers should carefully review the instructions provided with their bond documents before purchasing tickets.
Using an unauthorized entry or departure point could complicate confirmation that the programโs conditions were satisfied and delay the refund.
A Bond Does Not Guarantee Visa Approval
Being prepared to post a bond of up to $20,000 does not give an applicant an advantage or guarantee a favorable decision.
The consular officer will continue to evaluate the purpose of the trip, the applicantโs financial situation, ties to the country of residence, previous travel history and other relevant circumstances. If the applicant does not qualify for a B-1/B-2 visa, the ability to post a bond will not change the decision.
Applicants should not trust intermediaries who promise a guaranteed visa in exchange for a particular payment. Only a U.S. consular officer can make the final decision on a visa application.
What the New Rules Mean for Applicants
The main change is that the visa bond program is no longer a temporary experiment. U.S. consulates can now use this measure on a permanent basis.
For most applicants, the B-1/B-2 visa process remains the same: completing Form DS-160, paying the visa application fee, scheduling an interview and undergoing the required review. A bond is required only after a consular officer makes that determination.
Applicants from countries covered by the program should evaluate their financial resources in advance. Although the money may be refunded after all travel conditions are satisfied, the bond amount may remain unavailable for a considerable period.
Special attention should be paid to the authorized departure date, proof of departure and the choice of airport. Travelers should retain boarding passes, flight information and other documents that may help confirm a timely departure.
The inclusion of a country in the visa bond program does not override other restrictions that may apply to the issuance of U.S. visas. Before submitting an application, travelers should separately verify whether the required visa category is currently available to citizens of their country.
U.S. authorities expect that the financial guarantee will encourage travelers to comply with the authorized period of stay. Critics of the program argue that a large bond may become a serious barrier for legitimate travelers who meet the visa requirements but do not have sufficient funds available.
Will a permanent visa bond help reduce violations of U.S. immigration rules, or will it create an additional financial barrier for lawful travelers?
