USA
US Makes Visa Bond Program Permanent for 50 Countries; Bangladesh and Nepal Among South Asian Nations Affected: The United States has officially made its Visa Bond Program a permanent immigration measure, requiring eligible travelers from 50 designated countries to post a refundable bond before receiving a B1/B2 visitor visa. The move is aimed at reducing visa overstays and strengthening immigration compliance.
Among the countries included in the permanent program are Bangladesh and Nepal, making them the only two South Asian nations currently subject to the new visa bond requirements.
Under the policy, applicants from the designated countries who qualify for a B1/B2 visitor visa may be required to post a refundable bond of US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000. The exact amount will be determined by a U.S. consular officer during the visa interview.
Visa Bond Does Not Guarantee Visa Approval
The U.S. Department of State clarified that posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. Applicants will only be instructed to submit Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) after a consular officer determines that a bond is required.
Payments must be made exclusively through the U.S. Government’s Pay.gov platform after receiving an official payment link. Authorities warned applicants not to use third-party websites, stating that the U.S. Government will not be responsible for payments made outside its official systems.
The bond may be paid either by the applicant or by a third party, including family members, friends, or business associates, whether they are located inside or outside the applicant’s home country.
Designated Countries
The permanent visa bond program applies to nationals from the following 50 countries:
Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Côte 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, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Implementation dates vary by country, with several provisions already in effect and others beginning during 2025 and 2026.
Entry Restrictions for Bond Holders
The Department of State also announced that travelers who post visa bonds must enter and leave the United States only through designated commercial airports, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance locations.
Visa bond holders cannot use:
- Charter flights
- General aviation airports
- Land border crossings
- Sea ports
Failure to comply with these entry and exit requirements could result in immigration complications or the inability to properly record departure from the United States.
When the Bond Is Refunded
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the visa bond will automatically be canceled and refunded if:
- The traveler departs the United States on or before the authorized date.
- The visa expires without being used.
- The traveler is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.
Refunds will be issued in U.S. dollars, and the individual who paid the bond (the obligor) will receive the refund.
When the Bond May Be Forfeited
The bond may be forfeited if immigration authorities determine that the visa holder violated the conditions of admission. Situations that could trigger a bond breach include:
- Remaining in the United States beyond the authorized period of stay.
- Failing to depart the country.
- Violating other conditions specified under the bond agreement.
- Certain immigration status adjustment applications, including asylum claims, may also be reviewed for compliance under the bond terms.
Cases involving potential violations will be referred by the Department of Homeland Security to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review.
Focus on Visa Compliance
The U.S. Government said the permanent visa bond program is authorized under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and is based on visa overstay data published in the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report.
Officials say the program is designed to encourage compliance with U.S. immigration laws while reducing visitor visa overstays. Travelers from the affected countries are advised to carefully review the requirements before applying for a B1/B2 visa.
