A major change is coming for people who want to visit the United States for business or tourism. The US government has announced a 12-month pilot programme, starting August 20, that will require certain visa applicants to pay a refundable bond of up to USD 15,000. This new rule applies to some people applying for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. It’s part of a move to reduce visa overstays and tighten border security.
Not all countries will be affected. The rule will target travellers from nations that the US sees as having high visa overstay rates or weak screening processes. The exact list of these countries will be shared before the programme goes live. Until then, many are left wondering if their travel plans will soon get much more expensive and complicated.
What Is the Visa Bond Programme?
The visa bond programme gives US consular officers the power to ask for a money deposit, called a bond, from visa applicants. This bond will be held by the US government during the traveller’s stay in the country.
There are three bond amounts under the rule:
- USD 5,000
- USD 10,000
- USD 15,000
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The amount depends on how risky the traveller is seen to be. If the visitor leaves the US before their visa expires, the bond will be fully refunded. But if they overstay, they lose the money. The bond is then kept by the US government.
This policy was first discussed in 2020 but never fully put into action due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the rule is being officially tested with real applicants, and it may cause serious concerns for those affected.
Who Will Be Affected or Exempt?
The bond rule does not apply to everyone. Visitors from countries in the Visa Waiver Program will not be affected. Also, some travellers may be eligible for a waiver, depending on their history, reason for travel, and the decision of the consular officer.
However, if you’re from a country with a record of people overstaying their visas in the US, there is a strong chance you could be impacted. The exact list of countries has not yet been published, but will be made public before August 20.
Another detail: those who must pay the bond will also be required to enter and exit through specific ports in the US. These ports are expected to be announced when the programme officially launches. The aim is to make it easier for officials to track those under the bond requirement.
What This Means for Your US Trip
If your country ends up on the list, this new rule could make your travel plans more costly and difficult. Before you even book your flight or hotel, you might need to pay a USD 5,000 to USD 15,000 bond — money you won’t see again until you’ve safely left the US.
This can be especially hard for:
- Families on a budget
- First-time travellers
- Small business owners
- Students visiting for short stays
Even though the bond is refundable, it might take time to get the money back after you return home. The rule also brings added stress, paperwork, and the need to plan far in advance.
You may also need extra help from visa consultants, lawyers, or travel experts to understand if you’re required to pay the bond — and how to do it properly.
For now, the best step is to stay informed. More details about the affected countries and ports of entry will be shared as August 20 approaches. Make sure to check with the US consulate or embassy in your country if you plan to travel soon.