News Alert: New Visa Bond Pilot Program to Impact Certain B-1/B-2 Visa Applicants
Image by Pete Linforth from Pixabay. The U.S. Department of State has announced a new 12-month pilot program that could significantly change the visa application process for some travelers. Effective August 20, 2025, the Visa Bond Pilot Program will require a financial bond of up to $15,000 from certain B-1/B-2 temporary visitor visa applicants. Learn more in our News Alert.
UPDATED: January 15, 2026
On August 5th 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced a temporary rule instituting a new 12-month pilot program that could significantly change the visa application process for some travelers. Effective August 20, 2025, the Visa Bond Pilot Program will require a financial bond of up to $15,000 from certain B-1/B-2 temporary visitor visa applicants. This temporary final rule (TFR) is a renewed effort by the government to address visa overstay rates and concerns about deficient screening and vetting of foreign nationals.
Who Could Be Affected?
The program targets B-1/B-2 visa applicants who are nationals of countries that the Department of State identifies as:
Having high visa overstay rates.
Having deficient screening and vetting information.
Offering Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs where citizenship can be obtained without a residency requirement.
As of January 8, 2026, the nationals of the following countries are subject to the Visa Bond (dates in parentheses denote effective date):
Algeria (January 21, 2026)
Angola (January 21, 2026)
Antigua and Barbuda (January 21, 2026)
Bangladesh (January 21, 2026)
Benin (January 21, 2026)
Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
Botswana (January 1, 2026)
Burundi (January 21, 2026)
Cabo Verde (January 21, 2026)
Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
Cote d’Ivoire (January 21, 2026)
Cuba (January 21, 2026)
Djibouti (January 21, 2026)
Dominica (January 21, 2026)
Fiji (January 21, 2026)
Gabon (January 21, 2026)
The Gambia (October 11, 2025)
Guinea (January 1, 2026)
Guinea Bissau (January 1, 2026)
Kyrgyzstan (January 21, 2026)
Malawi (August 20, 2025)
Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
Namibia (January 1, 2026)
Nepal (January 21, 2026)
Nigeria (January 21, 2026)
Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025)
Senegal (January 21, 2026)
Tajikistan (January 21, 2026)
Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
Togo (January 21, 2026)
Tonga (January 21, 2026)
Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
Tuvalu (January 21, 2026)
Uganda (January 21, 2026)
Vanuatu (January 21, 2026)
Venezuela (January 21, 2026)
Zambia (August 20, 2025)
Zimbabwe (January 21, 2026)
However, this list may be updated throughout the pilot's 1-year duration. It is important to note that the program will not apply to travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries, Mexico, or Canada, as their entry procedures are different.
What Does the Program Require?
If an applicant falls under the pilot program's criteria, a consular officer may require them to post a visa bond as a condition of receiving their visa. The bond amounts are set at three levels: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The officer will determine the specific amount based on an assessment of the applicant's personal circumstances.
The bond must be paid electronically through the U.S. Treasury's Pay.Gov website within 30 days of the visa interview. All bond funds will be deposited into a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) account.
Conditions of the Bond
Travelers who are issued a visa under this program will have a limited, single-entry visa valid for just three months.
They will also be restricted to entering and departing the U.S. through specific airports designated for the pilot program. Not entering at and departing from any of these three locations might lead to a denied entry or a departure that is not properly recorded (dates in parentheses denote effective date):
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) (August 20, 2025)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) (August 20, 2025)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) (August 20, 2025)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) (January 1, 2026)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) (January 1, 2026)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) (January 1, 2026)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (January 1, 2026)
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) (January 1, 2026)
Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) (January 1, 2026)
Upon arrival, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will typically limit their stay to 30 days.
The bond is a financial guarantee that the visa holder will comply with the terms of their stay, including departing the country on time.
The bond will be canceled and refunded in full if the traveler departs the U.S. within their authorized period of stay.
The bond will be considered breached and forfeited if the visa holder overstays their authorized period, violates the terms of their status (like working illegally), or fails to depart after an extension request is denied.
Visa bond breach
The Department of Homeland Security will send cases where the visa holder may have broken the visa bond terms to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This is to determine if there was a breach. It includes, but is not limited to, these situations:
The Department of Homeland Security records indicate that the visa holder departed from the United States after the date to which he or she is authorized to stay in the United States.
The visa holder stays in the United States after the date to which he or she is authorized to do so and does not leave.
The visa holder applies to adjust out of nonimmigrant status, including claiming asylum.
Why Is This Happening?
According to the Department of State, the program is a response to consistently high visa overstay numbers. This new pilot program is intended to serve as a diplomatic tool, encouraging foreign governments to take action to reduce overstay rates and improve their screening and vetting processes.
The Department also states that this 12-month pilot is primarily a study to assess the operational feasibility of managing such a program. The data collected will help inform future decisions on whether visa bonds are an effective tool for addressing overstays and other security concerns.
For more information, visit the official Department of State website at Travel.State.Gov. If you have any questions or concerns about this new pilot program, it's best to consult with an immigration attorney or contact the Visa Services Office directly. Stay tuned as we monitor this development. Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr and TikTok, for up-to-date immigration news.
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