The U.S. Department of State has significantly expanded its Visa Bond Pilot Program, adding 23 new countries to the requirement effective January 21, 2026. The program, launched in August 2025 as a 12-month initiative to combat visa overstays, now covers nationals from 37 designated countries applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas.
The visa bond pilot program requires applicants to post a refundable financial guarantee of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 (determined by the consular officer during the visa interview). The bond is fully refundable upon timely departure from the United States and full compliance with visa terms. Failure to depart on time, violating status, or using non-designated ports of entry results in forfeiture of the full amount.
Countries Currently Subject to the Visa Bond Pilot Program (as of January 8, 2026)
- Malawi (added August 20, 2025)
- Zambia (added August 20, 2025)
- The Gambia (added October 11, 2025)
- Mauritania (added October 23, 2025)
- São Tomé and Príncipe (added October 23, 2025)
- Tanzania (added October 23, 2025)
Additional Countries Added January 1, 2026
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Central African Republic
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Namibia
- Turkmenistan
New Countries Added January 21, 2026 (23 nations)
Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
The Department of State selected these countries based on high B-1/B-2 overstay rates, deficiencies in vetting and screening information, and the presence of citizenship-by-investment programs with no residency requirement.
Key Visa Bond Pilot Program Details
Bond Posting: Applicants must pay via the official Pay.gov platform within 30 days of their visa interview using Form I-352.
Visa Limitations: Issued visas are single-entry only, valid for three months from issuance, with authorized stays typically limited to 30 days.
Entry/Exit Restrictions: Travelers must enter and depart through one of three designated U.S. airports: Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK (IAD), or Washington Dulles (IAD). Using other ports risks bond forfeiture even with timely departure.
Refund Process: Automatic refunds are issued 4-8 weeks after verified timely departure. Manual requests are available within 30 days of departure if departure is not recorded properly.
Forfeiture Triggers: Overstaying (even by one day), status violations (e.g., unauthorized work or study), or entering/exiting through non-designated ports result in full bond loss.
Existing valid B-1/B-2 visas issued before a country’s inclusion date remain unaffected. Other nonimmigrant visa categories (e.g., H-1B, F-1, O-1) are not subject to the bond requirement.
The State Department has indicated it will provide at least 15 days’ advance notice before adding additional countries to the visa bond pilot program. Early estimates suggest approximately 2,000 applicants per year are affected under the current list, though this number could increase.
Travelers from designated countries are advised to apply well in advance, budget for the bond amount, and strictly adhere to entry/exit rules to secure a full refund. For the latest updates, visit Travel.State.Gov or consult an immigration professional.
The visa bond pilot program will run through approximately August 2026, with potential adjustments based on compliance data and overstay trends. Want to understand better? Read the full US Visa Bond Pilot Program Guide here.
About AgoraVisa
AgoraVisa helps exceptional talent, tech founders, startup teams, researchers, and high-achieving professionals secure U.S. visas without the drama.
We specialize in O-1, EB-1, EB-2 NIW, and EB-3 pathways.
From quick eligibility checks to full approvals, our team guides you every step of the way.
Build your future here, stable, fast, and border-free. Book a call today.
[…] and tourist) visa applicants from specific countries. Just recently, the US Visa Bond program was expanded to include 25 new countries, set to come into effect on January 21, 2026. If you’re a national of a designated country […]