The US government has made its Visa Bond Program permanent as part of President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Under the new rule, certain visitor visa applicants will have to deposit up to $20,000 (around ₹17 lakh) before receiving a US B1/B2 tourist or business visa.
The new rule will come into effect on August 3, 2026, and is aimed at reducing visa overstays.
However, there is good news for Indian travellers—India is not on the list of affected countries.
What Is the US Visa Bond Program?
The Visa Bond Program requires applicants from 50 designated countries to pay a refundable security deposit before a B1/B2 visitor visa is issued.
The bond amount will be decided by the US consular officer and can be:
$10,000 (minimum)
$15,000
Up to $20,000 (maximum)
The money will be refunded if the visitor follows all US immigration rules, leaves the country before the visa expires, or legally extends their stay if eligible.
The US State Department said the pilot programme launched in 2025 proved effective in reducing visa overstays, leading to its permanent implementation.
Bond Amount Increased Under New Rules
When the programme was introduced in 2025, the highest bond amount was $15,000. With the new rule, the maximum has now increased to $20,000.
Applicants will still begin the visa process normally by paying the regular visa fee and attending their interview.
If a bond is required, the visa officer will inform them during the interview.
The applicant must then pay the bond through the US Treasury’s online portal before the visa application can be processed further.
Is India Affected?
No. Indian citizens are not required to pay this visa bond under the new policy.
According to the US Department of Homeland Security’s FY2024 report, India’s B1/B2 visa overstay rate is around 3.83%, which is below the level that led other countries to be included in the programme.
However, US authorities have reminded all foreign visitors that they must strictly follow visa conditions.
Violating visa rules could lead to cancellation, deportation, or problems with future US visa applications.
Which Countries Are Included?
The permanent Visa Bond Program now applies to 50 countries, with around 30 of them located in Africa.
Some of the countries on the list include:
Bangladesh
Nepal
Bhutan
Nigeria
Algeria
Cambodia
Ethiopia
Mongolia
Tanzania
Venezuela
Zambia
Zimbabwe
The full list also includes several countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and South America.
How Does the Bond Process Work?
If a visa applicant is selected under the programme, the process will work as follows:
Apply for a B1/B2 visa and pay the standard visa fee.
Attend the visa interview at a US consulate.
If a bond is required, the consular officer will specify whether the amount is $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000.
The applicant (or someone on their behalf) must pay the bond online using Form I-352 through the US Treasury portal.
After the payment is confirmed, the visa application will be reviewed again.
If approved, the visa will include a note confirming that the bond has been posted.
What This Means for Travellers
The US says the Visa Bond Program is designed to reduce visa overstays and improve compliance with immigration laws.
While travellers from 50 countries may now face a hefty refundable deposit, Indian applicants are not affected by the rule at present.
Even so, all visitors are expected to follow the conditions of their visas carefully, as any violation could impact future travel or immigration opportunities in the United States.
