Starting August 20, 2025, the U.S. State Department will begin a 12-month visa bond pilot program. It targets certain B‑1/B‑2 visa applicants—business and tourist travelers—from countries flagged for high visa overstay rates, poor document vetting, or citizenship-by-investment policies. Bonds may range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on individual circumstances. Consular officers generally set the bond at $10,000 unless specific factors justify a lower ($5,000) or higher ($15,000) amount.
Who’s Affected & Why
- Nationals from approximately two dozen countries, including Chad, Myanmar, Haiti, Laos, Yemen, and others with overstay rates over 10%.
- Countries lacking adequate screening and vetting systems or offering citizenship without residency.
- Citizens in the Visa Waiver Program are exempt from this bond requirement.
How the Program Works
- Consular Review: At visa interview, officials determine eligibility and bond requirement.
- Temporary Refusal: Visa is denied pending bond payment—applicant must post via Form I‑352 and Pay.gov within 30 days.
- Visa Terms: Once bond is paid, a single-entry visa valid for three months is issued—with a 30-day maximum stay in the U.S.
- Refund Conditions: Bonds are fully refundable if travelers comply with visa conditions and depart on time. Late departures lead to bond forfeiture.
📉 Impacts You Should Know
A. More Financial Burden on Travelers
For affected applicants, paying $5,000–$15,000 upfront is a significant cost. Families may face several thousands per person. AP News
B. Limited Scope, But Symbolic Reach
The program expects about 2,000 visa applicants during the pilot. Though modest, it revives a deferred 2020 proposal under the Trump administration.
C. Diplomatic and Security Rationale
Officials see the bond as a “diplomatic tool” to encourage better vetting by source countries and reduce overstays.
D. Operational Challenges
Processing and refunding bonds will involve Treasury and Homeland Security coordination, Pay.gov integration, and airport exit verification.
✅ Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pilot Launch Date | August 20, 2025 |
| Duration | 12-month trial |
| Visas Covered | B‑1 (business) and B‑2 (tourist) |
| Bond Amounts | $5K (low risk), $10K (standard), $15K (high risk) |
| Refundable | Yes, if visa conditions are met |
| Estimated Scope | ~2,000 applicants |
| Exemptions | Visa Waiver Program nationals |
What This Means for India
- Several high-overstay countries are currently ineligible to travel under standard tourist/business visas, but India is not among them.
- Therefore, Indian applicants remain unaffected unless India is later added to the list.
- If included, applicants would face a $10K bond in most cases, refundable with compliance.
