The U.S. Department of State has officially expanded the US Visa Bond Pilot Program as of January 2026, requiring certain B-1 and B-2 visa applicants to post a refundable $15,000 US visa bond. This updated policy now affects 13 specific countries, including new additions like Bhutan and Namibia, aimed at reducing visa overstay rates and ensuring strict compliance with travel regulations. Travelers from these nations must follow specific payment procedures through Pay.gov and enter the United States via designated airports to remain eligible for a bond refund.
Meta Description: The US Visa Bond Pilot Program 2026 now requires a $15,000 US visa bond for travelers from 13 countries. Learn about the new B-1/B-2 visa rules, Pay.gov payment steps, and how to get your refund on Visavlog.com.
As of January 2026, applicants from an expanded list of African and Asian nations may be required to post substantial financial bonds to secure B-1/B-2 visitor visas. Here is a comprehensive guide to the countries affected, the costs involved, and the rules for getting your money back.
For millions around the world, securing a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism/medical treatment) visa to the United States is a complex hurdle. However, for nationals of specific countries, that hurdle just got significantly higher—and more expensive.
As we enter 2026, the U.S. Department of State has actively expanded its “Visa Bond Pilot Program.” This initiative grants consular officers the authority to require visa applicants from designated high-risk countries to post a refundable financial bond before a visa can be issued. While the bonds are tiered, the headline figure that has caught global attention is the potential maximum requirement of $15,000 USD.
The landscape of this program changed dramatically in late 2025 and specifically on New Year’s Day 2026, bringing the total number of affected nations to thirteen. If you are applying for a U.S. visitor visa from one of these listed countries, understanding the mechanics of this bond program is no longer optional—it is essential to your travel plans.
This article provides an in-depth look at the current state of the Visa Bond Pilot Program, the countries recently added to the list, and the strict procedural steps applicants must follow.
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The Rationale: Why a Visa Bond?
The Visa Bond Pilot Program was designed to address a specific challenge facing U.S. immigration authorities: high rates of visa overstays from certain nations. A visa overstay occurs when a traveler legally enters the U.S. on a valid visa but fails to depart before their authorized period of stay expires.
The U.S. government argues that by requiring a substantial financial deposit, they create a powerful economic incentive for travelers to comply with the terms of their admission and return home on time. The bond acts not as a fee, but as leverage.
While the program has faced criticism for potentially placing an undue burden on legitimate travelers from lower-income nations, the Department of State maintains it is a necessary temporary measure to ensure the integrity of the immigration system for countries that either have historically high overstay rates or lack adequate information-sharing mechanisms for vetting.
It is crucial to note that this is currently a pilot program. It is scheduled to run for a 12-month period, currently slated to end on August 5, 2026, unless the government chooses to extend or make it permanent based on its effectiveness.
The Financial Tiers: Is it Always $15,000?
A common misconception is that every applicant from an affected country must pay $15,000. This is incorrect. The requirement to post a bond is discretionary, not mandatory for every single applicant.
During the visa interview process, a consular officer assesses the applicant’s circumstances. If the officer determines the visa is approvable but still has lingering concerns regarding the applicant’s likelihood of returning home, they may require a bond as a condition of issuance.
The consular officer has the discretion to set the bond amount at one of three tiers based on their risk assessment of the applicant:
- $5,000 USD
- $10,000 USD (The typical default amount)
- $15,000 USD
Therefore, while $15,000 is the maximum potential requirement, many applicants faced with a bond requirement may be asked for lower amounts.
The 2025-2026 Expansion: The 13 Affected Countries
The pilot program has rolled out in phases over the last six months. The most significant expansion occurred just days ago, on January 1, 2026, adding seven new countries to the list. Currently, nationals applying for B-1/B-2 visas from the following 13 countries may be subject to the bond requirement. The list is heavily concentrated on African nations, alongside countries in Asia.
The January 1, 2026 Additions: The new year saw the largest single expansion of the program, bringing these seven nations under the pilot’s purview:
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Central African Republic
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Namibia
- Turkmenistan
The Late 2025 Additions: In the months leading up to 2026, the program was already active for these six nations:
- Mauritania (Effective Oct 23, 2025)
- Sao Tome and Principe (Effective Oct 23, 2025)
- Tanzania (Effective Oct 23, 2025)
- The Gambia (Effective Oct 11, 2025)
- Malawi (Effective Aug 20, 2025)
- Zambia (Effective Aug 20, 2025)
If you are a citizen of one of these 13 countries applying for a tourist or business visa, you must be prepared for the possibility of a bond requirement during your interview.
The Process: How to Pay the Bond
The procedural rules for this program are strict. Failing to follow them precisely can result in visa denial or the forfeiture of bond money.
- The Interview and Notification: Do not attempt to pay a bond before your visa interview. The bond process only begins after a consular officer has interviewed you and determined that a bond is necessary. If they make this determination, they will inform you verbally and provide you with specific instructions and necessary documentation, typically involving DHS Form I-352 (Immigration Bond).
- The Payment Portal (Pay.gov): You cannot pay the bond at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in cash or local currency. All bond payments must be made electronically through the official U.S. Treasury platform, Pay.gov. This ensures a secure, trackable transaction directly to the U.S. government.
- Visa Issuance: The U.S. Embassy or Consulate will not issue the physical visa into your passport until they receive confirmation from the U.S. Treasury that the required bond amount has been successfully posted in full.
Critical Travel Restrictions: Designated Airports
Perhaps the most overlooked aspect of the Visa Bond Pilot Program is that it restricts where you can enter and exit the United States.
If you have posted a bond to secure your visa, you are not free to enter the U.S. at any port of entry you choose. To ensure that your entry and, crucially, your timely departure are properly recorded to facilitate your refund, you must travel through designated ports of entry.
Currently, the required airports for entry and exit under this program are:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – New York
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) – Washington D.C./Virginia
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) – Massachusetts
Failure to enter or exit through these specific airports could complicate proving your timely departure, putting your bond refund at risk.
The Refund: Getting Your $15,000 Back
The most important thing to remember is that this is a bond, not a fee. It is fully refundable, provided you follow the rules.
- Scenario A: Successful Travel If you are issued the visa, enter through a designated airport, remain in the U.S. only for the authorized period (as determined by Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry), and depart on time through a designated airport, the bond will be refunded. The refund is processed back to the original payer.
- Scenario B: Visa Denial After Bond Payment If you pay the bond via Pay.gov, but for some unforeseen reason the visa is subsequently denied before you travel, the bond will be refunded.
- Scenario C: Forfeiture If you overstay your authorized visit, or if you attempt to evade immigration authorities, the bond will be breached and forfeited to the U.S. government.
Conclusion
The expansion of the Visa Bond Pilot Program in January 2026 signifies a tougher stance by U.S. authorities on visa applicants from specific regions. For nationals of the 13 affected countries, securing a U.S. visa now requires not only passing the standard interview but potentially having access to significant liquid capital.
Applicants should approach their visa interviews prepared for this possibility, ensure they understand the strict payment and travel requirements, and realize that complying with visa timelines is now an expensive necessity. As the pilot program marches toward its current end date in August 2026, travelers and immigration advocates alike will be watching closely to see if this temporary measure becomes a permanent fixture of U.S. immigration policy.
