Travelling to the United States on a tourist or business visa is becoming more expensive—and stricter—for citizens of several countries.
Under a new rule, many travellers will now have to pay a large refundable deposit before entering the US.
This move is part of a tighter immigration policy aimed at reducing visa misuse.
Here’s a simple breakdown of what’s happening.
What Is the New Visa Bond Rule?
The US government has introduced a Visa Bond Pilot Program for people applying for B1/B2 visas (tourist and business visas).
Under this rule:
Applicants from selected countries must pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000
The exact amount is decided during the visa process
The money is refundable after you leave the US on time
This program applies only to short-term visitor visas and not to work or student visas.
More Countries Added to the List
Earlier, this rule applied to 38 countries.
Now, from April 2, 2026, 12 more countries have been added, taking the total close to 50.
The newly added countries include:
Cambodia
Ethiopia
Georgia
Mongolia
Tunisia
And several others
This means more travellers will now need to pay this bond before getting a visa.
Why Do You Have to Pay Up to $15,000?
The main goal is simple: to stop people from overstaying their visas.
A visa overstay happens when someone stays in the US longer than allowed.
The bond acts like a security deposit:
If you follow the rules and leave on time, you get your money back
If you don’t, you risk losing the bond
The program mainly targets countries with:
High visa overstay rates
Weak background verification systems
Citizenship-by-investment programs
When Will You Get Your Money Back?
The good news is that the bond is fully refundable.
You will get your money back if:
You leave the US within your allowed stay
You don’t travel after getting the visa
You are denied entry at the airport
The refund is processed automatically once the conditions are met.
Key Things to Remember
This rule applies only to B1/B2 visas (tourism and business)
The bond amount can go up to $15,000
It is not permanent—it’s part of a pilot program running until 2026
The final decision is taken by a visa officer on a case-by-case basis
Final Takeaway
The new visa bond rule makes travelling to the US more costly upfront for many people—but it doesn’t mean you lose the money.
Think of it as a security deposit to ensure rule compliance.
If you follow the visa conditions, your money comes back. But if you don’t, the financial loss could be significant.
