2026 US Visa Bond Explained

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U S Implements New Visa Bond Requirement, What It Means for Diversity Visa Applicants

The U S Department of State has recently introduced a visa bond pilot program that affects travelers from certain countries applying for B1 and B2 visitor visas, tourist or business visas. Under this program, nationals of 38 countries with historically high visa overstay rates may need to pay a refundable bond of 5,000 to 15,000 dollars when applying for a U S visitor visa.

This news has raised concerns among many international travelers, including those participating in the Diversity Visa Program, about how this might impact their plans.

In this article, we explain in plain English what the visa bond requirement is, why it was implemented, and whether it affects Diversity Visa selectees or applicants, spoiler, Diversity Visa applicants are generally not impacted by this rule. We also clarify what DV-2027 applicants need to know and how our team at US Green Card Office can assist you through these updates.

Overview of the New Visa Bond Pilot Program

A U S visa foil, stamp, showing a B1 and B2 visitor visa classification. Under the new pilot program, some travelers must pay a refundable bond when issued a B1 and B2 visa.

What is a visa bond, in simple terms, a visa bond is like a security deposit that certain visa applicants must pay to the U S government. If the traveler obeys the visa rules and leaves the United States on time, the money is refunded in full. However, if the traveler overstays or violates the terms of their visa, they risk forfeiting the bond money and facing the consequences of a visa violation.

Which visas require the bond, this pilot program only applies to B1 and B2 visitor visas, the visas typically used for short term tourism or business visits to the U S. It does not apply to other visa categories, for example student visas, work visas, or immigrant visas are not included. The bond requirement is based on nationality of the passport you carry and applies no matter where you apply for the visa. In other words, if you are a citizen of one of the specified countries and you apply for a U S visitor visa anywhere in the world, you may be asked to post a bond as a condition of visa issuance.

Why was this implemented, the main goal is to reduce visa overstays, when travelers remain in the U S longer than they are permitted. The countries selected for the bond pilot have had high rates of B1 and B2 visa overstays in the past. By requiring a sizable cash bond, the U S government aims to create a financial incentive for visitors to depart on time and comply with the terms of their visas. In short, if travelers know they will get their bond back only if they follow the rules, they are more likely to do so.

How long will the pilot last, the visa bond requirement is currently a pilot program running for 12 months. According to the State Department, it took effect on August 20, 2025 and is set to run until August 5, 2026, unless extended or modified. During this period, the list of affected countries or airports might be adjusted, and the policy could be reevaluated based on its results.

Countries Subject to the Visa Bond

Not all countries are subject to the visa bond requirement, only specific nations with high overstay rates have been included. The list has expanded since the pilot launch and now includes 38 countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and elsewhere. Here are some notable examples.

Nigeria, Bangladesh, and Venezuela, added January 2026, countries with large numbers of travelers where many have overstayed in the past.

Nepal and Algeria, added January 2026, examples of countries in Asia and Africa now included under the bond requirement.

Uganda, Senegal, and Cote D Ivoire, effective January 2026, African nations added to the list, among others.

Bhutan, Namibia, and Turkmenistan, added January 1, 2026, these were among seven countries included at the start of 2026.

Earlier additions in 2025, countries like Malawi, Zambia, The Gambia, Tanzania, Mauritania, and Sao Tome and Principe were added in late 2025 when the pilot began.

For the full official list of all 38 countries and their implementation dates, see the official notice in the sources section at the end of this article. All citizens of these countries who apply for a B1 and B2 visa and are found qualified will be asked to pay the bond before the visa is issued.

It is important to note that the bond requirement is nationality specific, not country of residence specific. This means a citizen of a country on the list living elsewhere would still face the bond requirement for a visitor visa, while a citizen of a country not on the list would not.

How the Visa Bond Works, Amount, Payment, and Refund

Bond amounts, the amount of the bond can be 5,000, 10,000, or 15,000 dollars, and it is set by the consular officer at the time of your visa interview. The exact amount depends on the specifics of your case.

When and how to pay, if the consular officer decides a bond is required for your visa, you will be instructed to submit Form I 352 and pay the bond online via the U S Treasury payment platform. You should only pay after a consular officer directs you to do so. You will receive a direct payment link, and you should not pay through third party sites or before being instructed, because unrequested payments will not be refunded.

Getting your money back, the bond money is held as a guarantee, and you will get it back automatically as long as you follow the visa rules. The bond is canceled and refunded in full if any one of the following happens.

The Department of Homeland Security records your departure from the United States on or before the date you were authorized to stay.

You do not travel to the United States before the expiration of the visa.

You apply for admission and are denied entry at the port of entry.

What if you break the rules, if you overstay your visa or violate the terms, you risk a visa bond breach. In a breach situation, the bond money can be kept by the government, and the case may be referred for review, which can have immigration consequences for future travel.

Designated airports for entry and exit, a condition of this pilot program is that visa holders who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the United States through designated ports of entry. As of early 2026, the designated ports include Boston Logan, John F Kennedy, Washington Dulles, Newark Liberty, Atlanta, Chicago O Hare, Los Angeles, Toronto Pearson, and Montreal Trudeau. If a traveler with a visa bond tries to enter or depart through a port not on the list, they can face problems such as denied entry or an unrecorded departure. Additional ports may be added over time.

Impact on Diversity Visa Selectees

Many Diversity Visa participants are understandably asking whether these rules affect them, especially applicants from countries listed in the bond program. The key point is that this pilot program targets B1 and B2 visitor visas only.

Diversity Visas are immigrant visas, not visitor visas. The Diversity Visa Program leads to permanent residence, and applicants go through an immigrant visa process. Because the bond requirement applies only to B1 and B2 visitor visas, it does not apply to Diversity Visa immigrant visas.

No bond requirement for Diversity Visa holders entering the United States, if your Diversity Visa is approved, you enter as a new permanent resident. You are not entering on a temporary visitor status, so the visitor visa bond rules do not apply.

Bottom line, if you are a Diversity Visa selectee processing an immigrant visa, you should not be asked to pay a 5,000 to 15,000 dollar bond as part of the Diversity Visa process.

What About People Applying for the Upcoming DV 2027 Program

The next Diversity Visa program is expected to open soon, and many applicants are preparing their entries. The visa bond rules do not change Diversity Visa eligibility or the entry process.

Eligibility to enter the Diversity Visa Program is unchanged. The criteria for entering the program remain the same, and the visa bond requirement does not add any Diversity Visa restrictions.

No bond or payment is required to enter the program, there is no visa bond requirement to submit a Diversity Visa entry.

If you win DV 2027, the immigrant visa process does not include a visa bond. The Diversity Visa path remains separate from the visitor visa bond program.

A separate point, if someone applies for a B1 and B2 visitor visa while also having Diversity Visa intentions, and they are from a listed country, the bond could apply to their visitor visa case, because it is a visitor visa. That is separate from the Diversity Visa process.

How US Green Card Office Can Help You Stay Informed and Prepared

At US Green Card Office, we track policy changes and explain what they mean for Diversity Visa applicants. We also help reduce the risk of disqualification by ensuring your entry is prepared correctly, including photo compliance and accurate information entry. Many entries are disqualified each year due to mistakes, our service is designed to help prevent those issues.

If you are preparing for DV-2027, professional guidance can make the process far safer, especially during periods where misinformation spreads quickly online.

Key Takeaway

The visa bond pilot program applies to B1 and B2 visitor visas only. It does not apply to Diversity Visa immigrant visas. Diversity Visa selectees and DV 2027 applicants can proceed as normal, without expecting a bond requirement as part of the Diversity Visa process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources and official references

U S Department of State, Countries Subject to Visa Bonds.
Federal Register, Visas, Visa Bond Pilot Program, Temporary Final Rule.
U S Department of Homeland Security, Entry Exit Overstay Reports.
Department of Homeland Security, Form I 352 Immigration Bond, PDF.
Pay Gov, Non-immigrant Visa Bonds payment form, applicants should only use it when directed by a consular officer.