US Visa Bond 2026: How It Works and Who Has to Pay

A US Visa Guarantee is a financial guarantee required by US immigration authorities to ensure that visa holders meet the conditions of their stay, including timely departure if required.

It is increasingly used to reduce visa overstays and enforce immigration accountability.

This article covers:

• What does US Visa Bond mean?
• What is the 2025 Visa Bond Pilot Program?
• Which countries require a deposit for a US visa?
• How much is the deposit for a US visa?

Key Takeaways:

• A US visa bond is a refundable compliance bond, not a fee.
• Bond requirements vary by country, visa type and individual assessment.
• The 2025 Visa Bond Pilot Program will be expanded when bonds may be needed.
• Bonds can range from $5,000 to $15,000 or more, depending on the case.

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What is the US Visa Bond?

A U.S. visa guarantee serves as a government-mandated financial guarantee, which is permitted under existing U.S. immigration law, and not as a stand-alone statute.

It is applied when immigration authorities assess a higher risk of visa overstay, non-compliance or failure to leave the US as required.

The authority to require a visa bond arises from provisions within the Immigration and Nationality Act and related federal regulations, which allow the Department of Homeland Security to impose conditions on the issuance, entry, parole, or release of visas.

Unlike the standard visa fee, the deposit is conditional.

It is only forfeited if the visa holder violates immigration conditions, such as overstaying, unauthorized work, or ignoring departure instructions.

When all conditions are met, the deposit can be refunded after the person leaves the US, in accordance with their visa conditions.

What is the new visa bond rule 2025?

The new visa bond rule refers to the Visa Bond Pilot Program (VBPP), introduced by the U.S. Department of State, which formalizes and expands when deposit requirements can be applied to certain visa applicants.

This pilot program, effective from August 20, 2025 through August 5, 2026, requires certain B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants from certain countries to pay a refundable deposit before a visa is issued.

Under this rule, applicants from specific countries, initially Malawi and Zambia, and later expanded to other countries, may be required to pay a bond as a condition for the issuance of B-1/B-2 visas.

The exact amount will be determined by the consular officer.

Who is affected by the US visa guarantee?

The U.S. visa guarantee affects foreign nationals who are considered at higher risk of visa overstay or non-compliance with U.S. immigration rules.

This usually includes:

• Individuals with prior immigration violations
• Applicants are flagged during screening for possible non-compliance
• Foreign nationals applying for certain non-immigrant or immigrant visas
• Individuals subject to removal or deportation proceedings

Even new applicants may be required to post a bond if their application is flagged during a comprehensive assessment or risk-based screening, regardless of their nationality.

How much does the US visa guarantee cost?

A U.S. visa bond typically ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 for applicants under the Visa Bond Pilot Program, with higher amounts possible in cases with a higher likelihood of overstay or non-compliance.

The exact amount depends on the visa category, the applicant’s immigration history and the risk assessment of the US authorities.

For applicants outside the pilot program or in cases involving removal, bond amounts may vary more widely and reach significantly higher levels depending on individual circumstances.

List of US visa bond countries

Nationals of certain countries, including Nigeria, Bangladesh, Nepal and Venezuela, may be required to post a bond when applying for a U.S. visa under the Visa Bond Pilot Program.

As of January 8, 2026, the following countries are subject to US visa bond requirements, implementation dates for which are shown:

These country designations are policy-based and subject to change, and not all applicants from listed countries will automatically be required to post a bond.

The US Department of State makes these designations based on the number of visa overstays, compliance history, and screening considerations.

Comparing US Visa Bonds to Immigration Bonds

Although both involve financial guarantees, U.S. visa bonds under the Visa Bond Pilot Program (VBPP) and immigration/detention bonds serve different purposes.

Visa bonds are conditional guarantees required by certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration laws and are refundable if all conditions, such as timely departure, are met.

Immigration or detention bonds, on the other hand, are issued for individuals who are in removal proceedings or detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

These bonds provide for release from custody while a case is pending and are generally higher, set by ICE or immigration courts based on factors such as compliance history and flight risk.

Most coverage of the VBPP focuses exclusively on visa bonds, so this comparison is provided to clarify the distinction and help applicants understand the financial and legal responsibilities associated with various U.S. immigration processes.

Conclusion

The US visa guarantee is more than a procedural requirement. It reflects a broader shift toward ensuring accountability and predictability in U.S. immigration processes.

While it may seem like an additional hurdle, it also provides a structured mechanism for applicants to demonstrate their compliance and legally secure their travel.

Understanding when a bond may apply and how it functions can help applicants navigate the visa system with more confidence, plan financially, and avoid unexpected complications.

Ultimately, the bond underscores an important principle: Responsible compliance benefits both the traveler and the immigration system, creating a clearer path for legal entry while protecting U.S. regulatory interests.

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