United States implements visa bond program for 50 countries

The United States has implemented a permanent visa bond program requiring certain B1/B2 business and tourist visa applicants to post refundable financial guarantees. The program targets nationals from 50 designated countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Venezuela, based on visa overstay statistics provided by the Department of Homeland Security.

Consular officers determine the required bond amount during the visa interview, with options of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000. These bonds are refundable if the traveler complies with all visa conditions and departs the U.S. before their authorized stay expires. However, the bond may be forfeited if the traveler overstays or seeks certain humanitarian protections like asylum.

Notably, Indian passport holders are excluded from this requirement. The program operates under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Applicants must submit DHS Form I-352 and process payments through the Treasury Department’s Pay.gov platform. The State Department has advised applicants not to make payments until specifically instructed by a consular official.