Overview
- The State Department published a final rule on August 3, 2026, that converts a yearlong pilot into a permanent program allowing consular officers to require refundable bonds for certain B‑1/B‑2 applicants.
- Consular officers have sole discretion to require and set bonds at $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 for individual applicants from a published list of 50 countries.
- The list covers mostly African countries and includes three South Asian nations; India is not on the list and Indian B‑1/B‑2 applicants are not currently subject to the bond requirement.
- Pilot data cited by the State Department reported a fall in overstays from roughly 45,500 in 2024 to fewer than 50 during the pilot while B visa issuances to listed countries dropped about 83% as many applicants declined to pay bonds.
- Under the permanent rule bonds are refundable if applicants are denied visas or comply with terms, but they are forfeited for major violations including overstaying or filing for asylum, bonded travelers must use commercial airports for entry and exit, and DOS may add or remove countries with notice.