US Permanently Adopts Visa Bond Policy for 50 Countries, India Not Included
New policy allows bonds of up to $20,000 for selected visitor visa applicants as Washington aims to curb visa overstays
Washington, Aug. 1: The United States has announced that its visa bond initiative will become a permanent part of its immigration framework, empowering consular officers to require eligible visitor visa applicants from 50 designated countries to furnish a financial bond of up to $20,000 before their visas are approved.
The new regulation, which comes into effect on August 3 following its publication in the Federal Register, applies to B-1 visas for business travel and B-2 visas issued for tourism and other temporary visits.
The permanent framework follows the completion of a pilot programme launched in 2025, which tested the use of financial guarantees ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for selected applicants. Under the revised rule, the minimum bond option has been removed, while the maximum amount has been increased to $20,000.
According to the State Department, consular officers will have the authority to determine whether an applicant should provide a bond based on the eligibility criteria outlined under the programme. Officials said the pilot project demonstrated that financial guarantees could serve as an effective mechanism to improve compliance with visa conditions.
Importantly, India is not among the countries included in the permanent programme. Indian nationals applying for B-1 or B-2 visas will continue to follow the existing visa application process without any requirement to deposit a financial bond.
The list of countries covered by the policy includes 50 nations, with nearly 30 located in Africa, while the remaining countries are spread across other regions.
US authorities said the move is aimed at addressing visa overstays by encouraging travellers to comply with the terms of their temporary admission. The administration believes the measure will strengthen immigration enforcement while providing an additional safeguard against misuse of visitor visas.
The policy, however, has drawn criticism from immigration advocates, who argue that higher financial requirements could discourage genuine tourists and business travellers. Rights groups have also expressed concern that recent immigration measures could make legal travel to the United States more restrictive.
President Donald Trump has defended the administration’s immigration strategy, maintaining that stricter visa regulations are essential to enhance national security and ensure greater compliance with US immigration laws. Alongside the bond programme, the administration has introduced higher visa processing fees for certain categories and expanded social media screening for applicants seeking entry into the country.
