The U.S. Department of State has expanded its B-1/B-2 Visa Bond Pilot Program effective April 2, 2026, adding 12 new countries to the list of nationals who may be required to post a refundable bond as a condition of visa issuance.

Background:

The Visa Bond Pilot Program was introduced through a temporary final rule and has been in effect since August 20, 2025. The program is designed to address concerns related to visa overstays and compliance by requiring certain B-1 (business visitor) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants to provide a financial guarantee. The pilot is currently scheduled to remain in effect through August 5, 2026. 

Key Highlights:

• Expansion of Countries – Effective April 2, 2026, the countries which have been newly added are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
• Bond Requirement – Applicants may be required to pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on individual circumstances.
• Refund Mechanism – The bond is refundable if the applicant complies with visa conditions, including departing the United States within the authorized stay or properly filing for an extension or change of status. 
• Limited Visa Validity – Visas issued under the program are typically valid for three months with single entry, and admission is generally limited to 30 days. 

The complete list of countries subject to a visa bond as on today can be found here.

Conclusion:

For applicants from designated countries, the program introduces an additional financial and procedural consideration in the B-1/B-2 visa process, while signaling a potential shift toward more conditional visa issuance frameworks in the future. We at Murthy Immigration Services are closely monitoring this important topic and will continue to provide updates as they become available.