US makes $20,000 visa bond permanent for 50 nations

visa bond United States B1/B2 visa overstays $20,000

The United States Department of State announced that the visa‑bond program for B‑1 business and B‑2 tourist visas will become permanent. Consular officers may now require applicants from a list of 50 designated countries to post a financial guarantee of up to $20,000, and the previous $5,000 lower option has been eliminated. The program, which was tested in a pilot that began in 2025, is intended to reduce the number of people who remain in the United States after their visa expires. Officials say the pilot showed a sharp decline in overstays, prompting the decision to make the measure lasting. The list includes many African states as well as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and others, but excludes countries such as Turkey. Immigration‑rights groups warn that the high bond could deter legitimate travelers and raise concerns about fairness.

The rule will take effect on 3 August, as published in the Federal Register, and the bond amount is refundable if the visa holder complies with all stay conditions and departs on time.

Entities: B1/B2 visa · Bangladesh · B‑1/B‑2 visa · Donald Trump · Immigrant rights groups · Senegal · U.S. Department of State · United States · United States Department of State · Visa bond program

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 7 SOURCES] The program applies to B‑1 business and B‑2 tourist visas. (Program description)
[● 7 SOURCES] The rule becomes effective on 3 August. (Federal Register publication date)
[● 7 SOURCES] The $5,000 lower bond option was removed and the maximum increased to $20,000. (Program update)
[● 7 SOURCES] The United States Department of State made the visa‑bond program permanent. (U.S. State Department announcement)
[● 7 SOURCES] The program covers citizens of 50 countries, about 30 of which are in Africa. (Regulation details)
[● 7 SOURCES] Immigration‑rights groups say the high bond could discourage legitimate travel. (Critics' statements)
[● 7 SOURCES] Consular officers may require a bond of up to $20,000 from applicants of designated countries. (Regulation text)
[○ 1 SOURCE] The pilot program showed a reduction in visa overstays, from about 45,500 in 2024 to fewer than 50 in the first ten months of the pilot. (State Department data)