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5h ago

U.S. Expands Visa Bond Pilot to Three Countries, Adding The Gambia

The pilot targets high overstay nationalities by requiring refundable bonds before certain B‑1/B‑2 visas.

The US has initiated a 12-month pilot Visa Bond Program for nationals from high overstay countries, requiring a bond of up to $15,000 for short-term visas, effective August 20, 2025.
The initiative applies to those seeking B-1/B-2 visas, which cover temporary business or leisure travel, including participants in Citizenship by Investment programs.
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Overview

  • The State Department’s 12‑month program runs from August 20, 2025, through August 5, 2026.
  • Nationals of The Gambia, Malawi and Zambia may be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, with amounts set at the visa interview.
  • Applicants must execute DHS Form I‑352 and pay via the Treasury’s Pay.gov platform regardless of where they apply.
  • Travelers who post bonds must enter and depart only through Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK and Washington Dulles (IAD).
  • Bonds are automatically refunded for timely departure, non‑travel or denied entry, while suspected breaches are referred by DHS to USCIS; DHS overstay data show very high B‑1/B‑2 overstay rates for The Gambia and far lower rates for India, which is not listed.