US makes visa bond rule permanent for 50 countries, raises cap to $20,000

The US State Department has decided to make permanent its visa bond programme, under which applicants from 50 countries, most of them in Africa, may be required to deposit a bond of up to $20,000 when applying for certain US visas, according to a Federal Register notice issued on Friday.

The policy applies to B1 and B2 visas, which are issued for business and tourism travel. Among India's neighbours, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan are included in the list of affected countries, while India is not.

"The department expects that this final rule will contribute to the continued reduction of demand for B1/B2 visa applications from nationals of countries subject to the programme," the notice said.

Under the rule, consular officers will have the authority to require eligible nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond as a condition for visa issuance, with the amount determined on a case-by-case basis.

The department said the decision follows the success of the 2025 visa bond pilot programme, which was conducted jointly with the Departments of Homeland Security and the Treasury.

According to the notice, the pilot generated enough evidence to show that the bond system is an effective way to improve compliance among visa holders and reduce the risk of overstays.

During the pilot phase, bond amounts ranged from $5,000 to $15,000. The permanent rule removes the $5,000 option and increases the maximum bond amount to $20,000.

The regulation is scheduled to take effect on August 3, the day it is published in the Federal Register. Of the 50 countries covered under the programme, 30 are located in Africa.

U.S. officials have maintained that the measure is aimed at reducing visa overstays. However, immigration and civil rights advocates argue that requiring such large financial deposits could discourage genuine travellers from visiting the United States.

The announcement comes amid President Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown, which critics say has undermined free speech and due process while fostering an atmosphere of fear among ethnic minorities and increasing the risk of racial profiling.

Trump has defended the tougher measures as necessary to strengthen national security.

Although the Trump administration has repeatedly said it is focused on curbing illegal immigration, it has also tightened legal immigration pathways by introducing higher application fees for certain visa categories and expanding social media screening for both new applicants and some immigrants already living in the United States.

The US State Department has decided to make permanent its visa bond programme, under which applicants from 50 countries, most of them in Africa, may be required to deposit a bond of up to $20,000 when applying for certain US visas, according to a Federal Register notice issued on Friday.

The policy applies to B1 and B2 visas, which are issued for business and tourism travel. Among India's neighbours, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan are included in the list of affected countries, while India is not.

"The department expects that this final rule will contribute to the continued reduction of demand for B1/B2 visa applications from nationals of countries subject to the programme," the notice said.

Under the rule, consular officers will have the authority to require eligible nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond as a condition for visa issuance, with the amount determined on a case-by-case basis.

The department said the decision follows the success of the 2025 visa bond pilot programme, which was conducted jointly with the Departments of Homeland Security and the Treasury.

According to the notice, the pilot generated enough evidence to show that the bond system is an effective way to improve compliance among visa holders and reduce the risk of overstays.

During the pilot phase, bond amounts ranged from $5,000 to $15,000. The permanent rule removes the $5,000 option and increases the maximum bond amount to $20,000.

The regulation is scheduled to take effect on August 3, the day it is published in the Federal Register. Of the 50 countries covered under the programme, 30 are located in Africa.

U.S. officials have maintained that the measure is aimed at reducing visa overstays. However, immigration and civil rights advocates argue that requiring such large financial deposits could discourage genuine travellers from visiting the United States.

The announcement comes amid President Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown, which critics say has undermined free speech and due process while fostering an atmosphere of fear among ethnic minorities and increasing the risk of racial profiling.

Trump has defended the tougher measures as necessary to strengthen national security.

Although the Trump administration has repeatedly said it is focused on curbing illegal immigration, it has also tightened legal immigration pathways by introducing higher application fees for certain visa categories and expanding social media screening for both new applicants and some immigrants already living in the United States.