The United States Department of State has implemented a new visa bond program, mandating a security deposit of up to $20,000 for B1/B2 tourist and business visa applicants from 50 designated countries. This updated policy, which saw its latest list revision on October 2, 2026, requires eligible applicants to pay a bond ranging from $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000, with the precise amount determined by a consular officer during the visa interview.
Notably, India is not included in this program. However, several of its neighbors, such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal, are among the nations whose citizens are now subject to the bond requirement. Bangladesh and Nepal have been part of the program since January 21, 2026, with Bhutan added on January 1, and other countries included on April 2 of the same year.
How the Visa Bond System Operates
Applicants who are instructed to pay the bond must complete Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and submit payment via the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform. The bond can be paid by the applicant themselves or by a third party, such as a family member, friend, or business associate. It is crucial to understand that paying the bond does not guarantee visa issuance.
For those granted visas under this program, adherence to specific conditions is mandatory. The bond is returned if the visa holder complies with all terms, including departing the US on schedule through a commercial air port of entry. Furthermore, visa bond holders are restricted to entering and exiting the US solely through commercial air ports, including Customs and Border Protection preclearance locations, meaning land, sea, charter air, or general aviation ports are not permitted.
A breach of the bond can occur if the visa holder overstays their authorized period, violates other bond conditions, or makes certain untimely immigration applications. Filing for asylum or other forms of humanitarian protection via Form I-589 is also identified as a potential breach.
Countries Affected by the New Policy
The 50 countries currently under the US visa bond program include:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia
- Central African Republic
- Cote D’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kyrgyz Republic
- Lesotho
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tunisia
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe