In 2025, the US introduced a new Visa Bond program for citizens of countries with high rates of visa violations. Find out which countries are included in the Visa Bond program in the US 2025–2026, how the visa bond works, its cost, refund conditions, and which airports are allowed for entry and exit

In August 2025, the US government officially introduced the updated Visa Bond program - a system of financial guarantees for foreigners applying for short-term B1/B2 visas. This mechanism is intended to reduce the number of cases of overstaying in the country and ensure compliance with migration rules.

The program became part of the updated policy of the US Department of State aimed at strengthening control over entry and exit from the country, especially for travelers from regions with a high level of visa violation.

What is the Visa Bond Program USA, who must pay the guarantee and how does the program work? We will tell you in this material.

USCIS has implemented new mandatory fees for asylum, work authorization, and TPS starting July 22, 2025. We've already covered how much it now costs to file an application, who it affects, and what happens if you don't pay on time.

When planning a trip abroad, be sure to take care of a travel insurance policy that will protect you from unforeseen situations during the trip and compensate for unplanned expenses - for medical treatment, in case of lost luggage, flight cancellation, etc.

What is the Visa Bond program?

Visa Bond is a financial guarantee (guarantee) that the applicant is required to provide before obtaining a visa to the USA. It acts as a kind of "insurance" that the person will leave the country after the expiration of his visa.

If the traveler complies with all the rules, the guarantee is returned in full. If he stays in the US longer than allowed, the funds are confiscated.

The amount of the bond is determined individually during the interview at the consulate, usually within the range of 5,000-15,000 USD.

How does the Visa Bond system work in the USA?

1. Apply for a B1/B2 visa (business or tourism).

2. If the applicant falls under the Visa Bond program, he is notified of the need to pay a bond.

3. Before issuing a visa, it is necessary to fill out the I-352 form of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

4. The bond is paid through a designated financial channel or guarantor.

5. After the trip and confirmation of departure, the funds are returned.

Important! Travelers who pay a bond must enter and exit only through designated airports: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Visa Bond Program 2025-2026

The updated Visa Bond program began on August 20, 2025, and will run until August 5, 2026. The new entry rules will apply primarily to:

- countries with high overstay rates;

- countries with limited background check systems;

- countries that have Citizenship by Investment programs that allow for passports without physical residency.

Which countries are required to pay a bond under the Visa Bond Program 2025-2026?

Currently, the program includes seven countries whose citizens must post a bond if they are approved for a B1/B2 visa:

- Malawi - from August 20, 2025

- Zambia - from August 20, 2025

- Gambia - from October 11, 2025

- Mali - from October 23, 2025

- Mauritania - from October 23, 2025

- Sao Tome and Principe - from October 23, 2025

- Tanzania - from October 23, 2025

Any applicant holding a passport from one of these countries must post a bond amount determined during the interview and complete Form I-352 before the visa can be issued.

Important! Travelers from countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows 90-day visa-free visits to the United States, will not be subject to this bond requirement.

Fun fact! In October 2025, Mali announced that U.S. citizens visiting the West African country would be required to post a bond of up to $10,000 (£7,500) for business and tourist visas, in response to a similar requirement the Trump administration had imposed on its citizens.

What is the bond amount for the U.S. Visa Bond Program in 2025?

The bond amount varies depending on the risk level:

- Low risk – $5,000.

- Medium risk – $10,000.

- High risk – $15,000.

The funds are refunded upon confirmation of departure from the country within the specified period. If a violation is detected, the money is confiscated.

Why did the US introduce a visa bond program?

According to the US Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2024 Overstay Report, some countries have consistently high overstay rates, such as:

- Gambia: 38.79% overstay rate for visitor visas and 18.6% for all categories.

- Malawi: 14.32% (land) and 4.17% (air/sea) for B1/B2, and 19.71% for students.

- Zambia: over 10% for visitor visas.

For comparison: India’s overstay rate for B1/B2 visas in 2023 was only 1.29%.

The policy’s goal is to reduce overstayers and encourage compliance with US immigration rules.

How do I get my Visa Bond deposit back?

Step 1 – Leave the US on time.

Step 2 – Provide proof of departure (stamp, airline ticket or DHS data).

Step 3 – Submit a request through the financial institution that accepted the bond.

Step 4 – Wait for verification (usually 4–8 weeks).

Advantages and disadvantages of the Visa Bond system

As with any other system, the Visa Bond program has its advantages and disadvantages, including the following advantages:

- The system reduces the risk of overstaying.

- Disciplines applicants and encourages compliance with the rules.

- Gives the US government a tool to control temporary visas.

Cons of the Visa Bond program:

- Financial burden for applicants from developing countries.

- Risk of discrimination on the basis of nationality.

- Additional bureaucracy during registration.

Visa Bond Comparison with Other Countries

- The UK tested a similar system in 2013, but quickly abandoned it.

- Canada and Australia sometimes require a deposit when applying for temporary visas.

In the US, Visa Bond is a larger program aimed at short-term travel.

Outlook for 2026

The pilot program will run until August 2026, after which the US government will evaluate its effectiveness. If the number of violations decreases, Visa Bond may be expanded to other countries or made a permanent part of the immigration system.

Visa Bond in the US is not just a new rule, but an attempt to find a balance between openness and control. For some countries, it is a chance to show their reliability and reduce the level of violations, for others - a financial obstacle.

However, the overall goal is clear: reduce the number of overstayers and strengthen trust in the US visa system.

Need Help Navigating the New Visa Rules?

With changing U.S. immigration policies, including visa bond requirements and rising application costs, getting a visa is more complex than ever. Don’t risk delays, denials, or financial loss — consult with a qualified immigration lawyer.

Book a consultation today and get personalized guidance for your U.S. visa journey.

As a reminder, the U.S. is reinstating mandatory interviews for most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including H, L, F, M, and J categories, effective September 2, 2025. We’ve already covered who is exempt, what the Dropbox program’s cancellation means, and how it will impact travelers and employers.

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