Overview
- The State Department published an updated list on Friday that adds countries whose nationals may be required to post bonds of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 as a condition for B1/B2 visa processing.
- Consular officers set the bond amount during the visa interview and applicants must submit DHS Form I-352 and pay through Pay.gov only after an officer directs them to do so.
- Indian passport holders are explicitly excluded from the requirement while Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal and 47 other countries across Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Pacific are included.
- Travellers who post bonds can only enter and depart via commercial airports, including eligible CBP preclearance locations, they cannot use land crossings, seaports, charters or general aviation, and suspected breaches are referred to USCIS for determination.
- The programme was formalized by a final rule effective August 3 that uses DHS Entry/Exit Overstay Report metrics to target nationalities, requires refunds to the bond payor if conditions are met, and could shift enforcement from consular screening to longer USCIS review and travel restrictions for affected travellers.