According to a temporary final regulation published on August 5, 2025, in the Federal Register, the State Department will require certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants to provide a visa bond as part of a one- year pilot program.
The trial program will grant visas that are good for one entry into the United States and three months. Most of the time, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will allow these visa holders to enter the country for a maximum stay of 30 days. The duration of the pilot program is one year.
According to the State Department, information gathered from this one-year experiment will be used to inform future decisions about the potential application of visa bonds to foreign policy and national security priorities. Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act gives the government the legal right to demand bond payments as a condition of issuing certain visas, but this power has hardly ever been exercised.
Specifics regarding the Visa Bond Pilot Program are mentioned below:
What is the Visa Bond Pilot Program?
- A 12-month pilot program, effective August 20, 2025, running through August 5, 2026
- Aimed at applicants for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas from specific countries.
- Under the program, consular officers may require travellers to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 (typical), or $15,000 at the time of visa approval
Who is affected and when?
- Countries identified based on high visa overstay rates, weak internal vetting, or citizenship by investment schemes without residency requirements.
- Affected travellers are not part of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)—VWP participants are exempt
- The official list of these countries—published on Travel.State.Gov—is expected on or shortly before August 5, 2025, at least 15 days before the program takes effect
- As of this update, only Malawi and Zambia have been confirmed as subject to the bond requirement
How the program works
During the visa process:
- A consular officer may inform the applicant if they are required to post a bond, setting the amount based on their circumstances (employment, purpose, risk factors).
- Applicants will be directed to file Form I-352 via Pay.gov, within 30 days of the visa interview.
- Payment must be made only after explicit direction from the officer; payments via third parties or prematurely will not be refunded
Visa validity and travel:
- Visas under this pilot are single-entry, valid for three months, and grant a maximum 30-day stay once admitted by CBP at designated ports of entry
Refund and forfeiture:
- Full refund if the traveller complies with all terms—leaves on time, does not work unlawfully, or timely files for a change or extension if needed.
- Forfeiture if the individual overstays or violates terms; DHS will adjudicate noncompliance and notify the applicant of any final decision, including appeal rights if applicable
- No interest accrues on refunded bonds
Why this program is being introduced
- The goal is to reduce B1/B2 visa overstays—which comprised a significant share of unauthorized presence in the U.S. in recent years—and to test operational feasibility of bond administration.
- DHS estimates as many as 2,000 applicants could be affected during the pilot year
- The program revives a similar proposal from 2020 that was never implemented due to pandemic travel restrictions
For additional information about the Visa Bond Program, please call our Senior Attorney today by clicking the following link. – Schedule Appointment with The Law Office of Luke Bowman, and get informed advice on how to secure your status.
***
If you have any questions or concerns about the information provided above, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sincerely,
Luke Bowman
The Law offices of Luke Bowman