US adds 7 countries to list of nations needing visa bonds up to $15,000

United States Department of State has added seven countries to its list which identifies nations that require bonds up to $15,000 for B1/B2 visa applicants.

The visa bond pilot programme, running from August 20, 2025 to August 5, 2026, targets nationals of countries which the US identifies as having high visa overstay rates, or offering Citizenship by Investment with no residency requirement.

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Take a look at the full list of countries which require visa bonds, along with the date the programme was in effect from:

1. Bhutan: January 1, 2026

2. Botswana: January 1, 2026

3. Central African Republic: January 1, 2026

4. Guinea: January 1, 2026

5. Guinea Bissau: January 1, 2026

6. Namibia: January 1, 2026

7. Turkmenistan: January 1, 2026

8. Mauritania: October 23, 2025

9. Sao Tome and Principe: October 23, 2025

10. Tanzania: October 23, 2025

11. The Gambia: October 11, 2025

12. Malawi: August 20, 2025

13. Zambia: August 20, 2025

How is the bond amount determined and paid?

Any citizen or national who travels on a passport issued by one of these countries, must post one of these bonds: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The consular officer has the right to determine the bond amount at the time of the visa interview. This is done after taking into consideration the financial conditions of the applicant.

After the consular officer's instructions, applicants must submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352. They will then get a direct link to pay through the Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform Pay.gov.

Conditions of visa bond

It is essential that an applicant pay the bond only after the consular officer's instructions. If someone pays fees without being directed to do so, no refunds will be issued. Furthermore, a bond does not guarantee visa issuance.

All applicants who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the United States through the designated ports of entry:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)

• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)

If leaving or entering through any other port, entry may be denied or departure may not be recorded.

Visa bond breach

If a visa holder has broken bond terms, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will send such cases to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This includes situations such as:

• Records indicate that the visa holder departed from the United States after the date to which he or she is authorised to stay in the US

• The visa holder stays in the United States after the date to which he or she is authorised to do so and does not leave

• The visa holder applies to adjust out of nonimmigrant status, including claiming asylum

Visa bond compliance

If a visa holder complies with the bond terms and conditions, the bond will be cancelled and proceeds will be returned based on information provided by DHS through the Arrival and Departure Information System (ADIS), in situations such as:

• Visa holder's departure from the US in time, through a designated air port of entry

• Upon expiration of the visa, if the visa holder did not travel to the United States, as captured by ADIS.

• Following Customs and Border Protection deeming the visa holder inadmissible and cancelling the visa by CBP at the port of entry, as captured by ADIS.

The applicant on any cancelled bond will be entitled to a full refund. There will be no accrued interest on visa bonds that are issued and cancelled as part of this pilot programme, according to the US Federal Register.

Poojaraj Maniyeri

• 

pooja@khaleejtimes.com

Poojaraj Maniyeri is a Digital Journalist who loves turning everyday conversations into news stories. She is also a typical bookworm, and brings a novel with her everywhere she goes.