The US Department of State has expanded its visa bond pilot programme to include six countries whose nationals have recorded high overstay rates under the B1/B2 visitor visa category, according to the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report.
Under the phased rollout, travellers from Malawi and Zambia will be subject to the bond requirement beginning August 20, 2025, followed by Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania from October 23, 2025. The measure will apply to The Gambia starting October 11, 2025. India is not included in the list.
Visa Bond Requirements
Eligible applicants from these countries who are otherwise cleared for a B1/B2 visitor visa will be required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on their individual case assessment. The bond amount will be determined during the visa interview and must be submitted via Form I-352 through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov portal.
The Department of State emphasized that posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. Applicants should remit the bond only after receiving explicit instructions from a consular officer; unsolicited payments will not be refunded.
What the Bond Ensures
The visa bond acts as a financial guarantee to ensure that the individual exits the United States within their authorised period of stay and adheres to immigration laws. The bond may be forfeited if the visa holder:
Overstays their permitted duration,
Fails to exit through a designated port of departure, or
Seeks to change or adjust immigration status, including through asylum claims.
Travellers who comply with visa conditions—or those whose visas expire without travel—will have their bond automatically cancelled and refunded.
Designated Ports of Entry
Visa holders posting bonds must enter and exit the US through one of the following airports:
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Non-compliance may result in denied entry or complications in verifying departure, potentially affecting refund eligibility.
Policy Objective
The renewed visa bond mechanism—first piloted in a limited capacity—reflects ongoing efforts by Washington to curb visa overstays, which continue to represent a significant portion of the estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants residing in the United States. The Department of Homeland Security will refer potential violations to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review and enforcement.
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