U.S. Expands Visa Bond Pilot: Four Countries Added to $15,000 Requirement

(UNITED STATES) The U.S. Department of State has expanded its Visa Bond Pilot Program to cover four overstay nations, requiring some applicants for B1/B2 visas to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 before traveling. The program, launched on August 20, 2025, applies only to carefully defined groups of travelers from selected countries and will run through August 5, 2026. India is not on the list, but the policy signals a firmer U.S. approach to visa compliance that could shape consular screening worldwide.

Officials say the goal is to reduce overstays and improve compliance, not to target regular visitors. Still, the measure adds a financial hurdle for certain travelers and introduces new travel conditions that can affect trip planning and refunds. The State Department has rolled out the program country by country, giving at least 15 days’ notice before implementation.

As of October 10, 2025, the program covers four countries:

• Malawi and Zambia — program began August 20, 2025
• The Gambia — effective October 11, 2025
• Tanzania — announced October 8, 2025, implemented October 23, 2025

Countries were selected based on U.S. government metrics showing higher overstay patterns in short-term visitor categories.

VisaVerge.com reports that the pilot formalizes a risk-based screen, where consular officers can require a bond in defined cases to encourage timely departure. According to VisaVerge.com, if the approach drives better compliance, the State Department could extend or refine the model after the pilot end date, though no future decisions have been announced.

Policy Changes Overview

Under the pilot, only certain B1/B2 visa applicants from the covered countries are directed to post a bond. A consular officer decides this during the interview.

Key features:

• Bond amounts are $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, set case by case.
• Paying the bond does not guarantee a visa. The bond is collected only after the officer instructs the applicant to proceed.
• The bond is posted through Form I-352 (Immigration Bond). The U.S. government processes these bonds through secure payment systems after consular direction.
• The bond provides a financial incentive to leave the United States on time and follow all visa terms.

For official context, the Department of Homeland Security’s annual Overstay Report—used to flag higher-risk travel patterns—is available on the DHS website at the Overstay Reports page: DHS Overstay Report.

A key operational condition is airport routing. Travelers who post a bond must enter and exit only through three designated U.S. airports to support verification for bond release:

• Boston Logan (BOS)
• John F. Kennedy, New York (JFK)
• Washington Dulles (IAD)

Using non-designated airports can complicate records and may affect refund decisions. U.S. officials describe this requirement as a practical step to ensure accurate matching of entry and departure data.

How the Bond Works

Refund rules — the bond is fully refundable if the traveler does any of the following:

• Departs on or before the end of the authorized stay noted at entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection
• Never uses the visa before it expires
• Is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry

If a traveler overstays or violates the visitor terms, the bond can be forfeited. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services may review cases that appear to involve violations to confirm next steps.

Important applicant notes:

• The decision to require a bond is made at the interview and is tied to the Visa Bond pilot criteria for overstay nations.
• The bond is posted after consular direction using Form I-352 (Immigration Bond). For reference, the official form resource is here: DHS/ICE Form I-352.
• Payment of a bond is not a promise of visa issuance or U.S. admission. Standard eligibility rules for B1/B2 visas still apply.
• Travelers must comply with the designated airport rule: enter and exit via BOS, JFK, or IAD only.
• Refunds depend on timely departure, correct routing, and clean compliance records.
• Participation is not optional once a consular officer places the bond condition on the case.

Important: The bond condition is applied selectively by consular officers under pilot rules; it does not automatically cover all applicants from the listed countries.

Impact on Applicants

The most immediate effect for travelers from covered countries is a potential financial barrier. A bond of $5,000–$15,000 can be significant for families or small business travelers.

Practical impacts include:

• Added planning costs due to routing requirements (must enter/exit through BOS, JFK, or IAD).
• Potential difficulty accepting last-minute business trips if a bond is likely.
• Employers and event organizers may request stronger invitation letters and detailed schedules to help officers assess risk.
• Tourism demand could decline among travelers wary of tying up funds, even if refundable.
• Some applicants may delay travel until they can provide stronger proof of ties at home.

Officials emphasize the program is a pilot meant to be measured for outcomes before long-term adoption. The bond requirement only applies after a consular officer decides it is necessary under pilot rules.

What It Means for Indian Travelers

• India is not part of the pilot. India’s B1/B2 compliance has held strong, with a lower overstay rate compared to the nations flagged.
• There is no bond requirement for Indian B1/B2 visas, and no designated airport rules for Indian travelers under this pilot.

However, the policy signals rising use of data-driven screening. Consular officers already consider return intent, meaning proof of a job, study, business ownership, or family commitments at home can carry weight. A New York-based immigration lawyer described the trend as “risk-based visa screening,” suggesting a bond or similar condition could be used in future if numbers change.

Practical, indirect effects for Indian travelers:

• Interview questions may become more detailed at some posts, even for low-risk cases.
• Processing times could lengthen if officers check more travel history data.
• Travelers transiting from or through a covered country might face extra questions.
• Officers may scrutinize proof of ties to India and past travel compliance more closely.

How Indian applicants can strengthen cases:

• Bring proof of employment, business activity, or property in India.
• Keep travel histories accurate and avoid any overstays anywhere.
• Be honest about past visa outcomes and any extended stays.
• Apply early to allow time if the case requires extra checks.
• Monitor official advisories from the U.S. Embassy or DHS for any pilot updates.

Wider Policy Context

The pilot highlights a longstanding U.S. debate: how to keep short-term travel open while reducing overstays. Stakeholder perspectives:

• Business groups: predictable, fast visitor travel supports trade and investment.
• Community leaders: family visits and tourism build goodwill.
• Lawmakers: press agencies to tighten controls where data shows higher non-return rates.

The Department of Homeland Security’s annual overstay reporting framework is central to this debate. The report tracks arrivals and departures within authorized periods, broken down by nationality and visa class. Policymakers use that data to determine where added measures might be needed. Readers can review the methodology and results at: DHS Overstay Report.

Real-world trade-offs:

• A traveler posting a $10,000 bond to visit a new grandchild must plan flights through a specific airport and be sure to leave on time to recover funds.
• A small firm sending a manager to a U.S. trade show may have $5,000 of working capital tied up by a bond.
• The pilot’s refund rules still promise full repayment for those who follow the terms or never travel, according to U.S. officials.

Consular officers continue to apply the standard B1/B2 eligibility tests: applicants must show strong reasons to return home and a lawful purpose for the trip.

For now, the pilot remains limited: four countries, targeted use, and a defined end date of August 5, 2026. Any future change would require a new State Department notice, typically with lead time before taking effect. Travelers and sponsors who track official updates and keep precise records will be best placed to manage these rules calmly.

The Visa Bond pilot is a reminder that visitor travel rests on trust, data, and clear rules. For overstay nations, the bond is a new cost to manage. For India, the takeaway is to keep compliance strong so trips remain simple, affordable, and bond-free.