Overview
- The State Department finalized the rule on Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, allowing consular officers to require refundable bonds up to $20,000 from certain business and tourist visa applicants.
- Under the final rule the lowest $5,000 tier was removed and officers may set bonds at $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 with refunds issued if a visa is denied or the traveller leaves on time.
- The program applies to nationals of 50 countries published by the department, most of them in Africa, and consular officers retain discretion over who must post a bond.
- Pilot data showed the policy affected about 20,000 applicants instead of the 2,000 estimated, nearly half declined to post bonds and issuances of B‑1/B‑2 visas to covered nationals fell about 83%.
- The department cites roughly 45,500 overstays in 2024 among the covered nationalities and reported fewer than 50 overstays by bonded applicants in the pilot period, while advocates warn the requirement creates a steep financial barrier for legitimate travel.