The US Department of State has expanded its Visa Bond Pilot Program to 50 countries, with applicants from 12 newly added nations — including Tunisia, Mauritius and Seychelles — now required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 as a condition of receiving a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The expansion, announced on 18 March 2026, has taken effect on 2 April 2026.
If you are applying for a US tourist or business visa and hold a passport from one of the listed countries, the bond requirement applies regardless of where you submit your application. The money is returned in full if you comply with your visa terms and depart on time.
Here is the complete, up-to-date breakdown of which countries are on the list, how the bond amounts are decided, and what it means for your US travel plans.
What is the US Visa Bond Pilot Program?
The Visa Bond Pilot Program is a 12-month trial by the US Department of State that requires certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants to post a refundable cash bond before their visa is issued. The program runs from 20 August 2025 to 5 August 2026, under a Temporary Final Rule published in the Federal Register on 5 August 2025.
It targets nationals of countries with high visa overstay rates or deficient screening and vetting information, based on the Department of Homeland Security’s FY2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report.
Which visas are affected?
The bond requirement applies only to the B-1 (business visitor) and B-2 (tourist / medical treatment) visa categories. If you are applying for any of the following, the bond does not apply to you:
- F-1 student visas
- J-1 exchange visitor visas
- H-1B and other work visas
- Immigrant visas and green card applications
- Diplomatic and official visas
The program is also separate from the US travel ban list, though some countries appear on both.
Full list of 50 countries subject to US visa bonds
The State Department now requires visa bonds from nationals of 50 countries. The list below is the official version published on travel.state.gov, with the implementation date shown for each.
12 new countries added on 18 March 2026 (effective 2 April 2026)
These are the most recent additions, and the focus of the latest expansion:
| Country | Region | Effective date |
|---|---|---|
| Cambodia | Southeast Asia | 2 April 2026 |
| Ethiopia | East Africa | 2 April 2026 |
| Georgia | Caucasus | 2 April 2026 |
| Grenada | Caribbean | 2 April 2026 |
| Lesotho | Southern Africa | 2 April 2026 |
| Mauritius | Indian Ocean | 2 April 2026 |
| Mongolia | East Asia | 2 April 2026 |
| Mozambique | Southern Africa | 2 April 2026 |
| Nicaragua | Central America | 2 April 2026 |
| Papua New Guinea | Oceania | 2 April 2026 |
| Seychelles | Indian Ocean | 2 April 2026 |
| Tunisia | North Africa (MENA) | 2 April 2026 |
The other 38 countries already on the list
These countries were added in earlier rounds — starting with Malawi and Zambia in August 2025, followed by larger expansions through the autumn and January 2026:
- MENA and North Africa: Algeria, Mauritania
- Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
- Asia and Central Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyz Republic, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
- Caribbean and Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, Venezuela
- Pacific: Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
The official consolidated list with implementation dates is maintained at travel.state.gov, and is updated whenever the Department of State adds or removes a country.
How much is the US visa bond and who decides?
The bond amount is set at one of three tiers — $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 — and is decided by the consular officer during your visa interview. There is no way to pre-select a tier or negotiate the amount.
The decision is based on your individual circumstances, including your travel history, ties to your home country, and the consular officer’s assessment of overstay risk.
| Bond tier | Amount (USD) | Approx. in AED |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5,000 | ~AED 18,400 |
| Tier 2 | $10,000 | ~AED 36,700 |
| Tier 3 | $15,000 | ~AED 55,100 |
How to pay the bond
Once the consular officer directs you to post a bond, you will need to submit DHS Form I-352 (Immigration Bonds) and pay through the official US Treasury portal, Pay.gov. A direct link is provided during the process.
The State Department has warned applicants not to use any third-party website to pay the bond. Payments made outside the official system are not recoverable.
Important: A bond does not guarantee visa issuance. If your visa is ultimately refused after you have paid fees, unnecessary fees will not be refunded. Only pay the bond after a consular officer directs you to do so.
Visa validity, ports of entry, and refund rules
Visas issued under the pilot program come with tighter conditions than a standard B-1/B-2 visa. If you are approved, here is what to expect.
Validity and length of stay
- Visa validity: 3 months maximum
- Number of entries: Single entry only
- Maximum stay in the US: 30 days
This is significantly shorter than the standard B-1/B-2 visa, which can be valid for up to 10 years with multiple entries for some nationalities.
Designated ports of entry
Visa bond holders must enter and exit the United States through a designated port of entry. As of March 2026, this has been expanded to include all commercial air ports of entry, including CBP preclearance locations in cities like Toronto Pearson and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau.
What you cannot use as a bond holder:
- Charter flights or general aviation
- Land border crossings
- Sea ports of entry
Popular US arrival hubs such as New York JFK, Los Angeles LAX, Washington Dulles, Chicago O’Hare, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson, Newark Liberty and Boston Logan all qualify as commercial air ports of entry.
When you get your bond money back
The State Department confirms the bond is fully refundable. Your bond will be cancelled and the funds returned automatically in the following situations:
- DHS records your departure from the US on or before the date you were authorised to stay
- You do not travel to the US before your visa expires
- You are denied admission at the US port of entry
When the bond is forfeited
Your case is referred to USCIS for a potential breach if any of the following happen:
- You depart the US after your authorised stay has ended
- You stay in the US beyond your authorised date and do not leave
- You apply to change or adjust your status, including filing for asylum
What travelers from Tunisia, Mauritius, Seychelles and other new countries should do
If you hold a passport from one of the 12 newly added countries and plan to travel to the US on or after 2 April 2026, the bond rule will apply to any new B-1/B-2 visa issued to you. Here is a practical checklist.
Before your visa interview
- Budget for the bond amount in addition to standard visa fees. In the worst-case scenario, factor in $15,000 as a refundable deposit that will be tied up for the duration of your trip.
- Prepare strong documentation of ties to your home country — employment, property, family — to support your non-immigrant intent.
- Plan a trip length of 30 days or less, and a single-entry itinerary.
- Book onward or return flights through a commercial airline into a commercial US airport.
If you already hold a valid US visa
The bond requirement applies to visas issued under the pilot program. If you already have a valid B-1/B-2 visa issued before your country was added to the list, you can generally continue to use it under the conditions it was granted. Check directly with your nearest US embassy or consulate if you are unsure.
Consider alternative routes and destinations
For travellers from affected countries who find the bond impractical, nearby hubs remain accessible for tourism and business. Travellers from Tunisia can compare flights from Tunis to European cities or Gulf destinations, while those from Mauritius or Seychelles may find direct routes via Dubai or Doha to be useful alternatives. Wego can help you compare fares across carriers and find hotels in Dubai or other stopover cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the US visa bond for the 12 new countries take effect?
The 12 new countries added on 18 March 2026 become subject to the bond requirement from 2 April 2026. Applications scheduled on or after that date may be subject to the bond at the consular officer’s discretion.
Is the visa bond refundable?
Yes. The full bond amount is returned if you comply with your visa terms — primarily, departing the US on or before your authorised stay ends. It is also refunded if you never travel to the US or are denied admission at the port of entry.
Does the bond apply to student or work visas?
No. The pilot program applies only to B-1 (business visitor) and B-2 (tourist) visa categories. F-1, J-1, H-1B and other nonimmigrant categories are not included at this time.
Can I enter the US through a land border if I paid the bond?
No. Visa bond holders must enter and exit through commercial air ports of entry, including CBP preclearance locations. Charter flights, general aviation, land crossings and sea ports are not permitted.
When does the pilot program end?
The Visa Bond Pilot Program is currently scheduled to run until 5 August 2026. The Department of State may extend, modify or end the program depending on its findings.
Sources
- US Department of State — Countries Subject to Visa Bonds (Last Updated: 18 March 2026)
- Federal Register — Visas: Visa Bond Pilot Program (Temporary Final Rule, 5 August 2025)
- US Department of State — State Department Expands Visa Bonds to Combat Illegal Overstay Rates (18 March 2026)
- US Department of Homeland Security — CBP Entry/Exit Overstay Report, Fiscal Year 2024
- US Department of the Treasury — Pay.gov Official Payment Portal
- US Embassies and Consulates — Official Directory
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
