State Department Makes Permanent $20,000 Visa Bond Program

The United States Department of State is making permanent a visa bond program for citizens of 50 countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and 30 nations in Africa. Effective August 3, the final regulation requires applicants for B1 business and B2 tourist visas to post a refundable bond of either $10,000 or $20,000 before their interviews. This update increases the maximum bond from the pilot's $15,000 limit and removes the previous $5,000 low-end option.

Originally introduced as a pilot in August 2025 by the Trump administration, the program aims to curtail illegal migration and lower government enforcement costs. Department officials describe the initiative as a success, reporting that visa overstays from the affected countries dropped from nearly 45,500 in 2024 to fewer than 50 during the first 10 months of the pilot.

However, the financial requirement has significantly impacted visa issuance. The State Department reported an 83% decline in issued visas for these nationals, as nearly half of the 20,000 affected applicants chose not to pay the bond. While the administration defends the measure as a national security necessity, critics and immigration advocates argue that the high costs impose an undue burden on people from impoverished countries and may encourage racial profiling.