Indians travel to the United States for holidays, business meetings, family visits and many other reasons. The US made its Visa Bond Program permanent on August 3, 2026, raising concerns among many Indian travelers. Some are now wondering whether they must deposit up to $20,000 to receive a US tourist visa. Here is what Indian travelers need to know about the new rule.

What Is the US Visa Bond Program?

The US Visa Bond Program requires certain B-1 and B-2 visa applicants from designated countries to deposit a refundable amount before the visa is issued, unless the bond requirement is waived. A consular officer selects the amount after reviewing the applicant’s circumstances. The officer is generally expected to set the bond at $15,000 but may select $10,000 or $20,000 based on the applicant’s circumstances. The US introduced the program to encourage visitors to follow their visa conditions and leave the country before their authorized stay ends.

Is the Visa Bond a New US Visa Fee?

No. The visa bond is not a new visa application fee. It works more like a refundable security deposit. Applicants covered by the program must still pay the regular US nonimmigrant visa application fee. The visa bond is an additional amount that the government holds temporarily. A traveler who follows the visa rules and leaves the United States on time can receive the bond amount back after the authorities verify compliance. However, the government may keep the bond if the traveler overstays or seriously violates the conditions attached to the visa and bond.

Do Indians Have to Pay a US Visa Bond?

Indian travelers do not currently have to pay the visa bond. The US Department of State has published a list of 50 countries whose nationals are subject to the program. India does not appear on that list. Therefore, an Indian citizen traveling on an Indian passport can continue to apply through the regular B-1/B-2 visa process. Indian applicants still need to:

• Fill out the DS-160 form
• Pay the required visa fee
• Book your visa appointment
• Attend the required interview
• Submit any documents requested by the consular officer
• Prove eligibility for the visa

Who May Have to Pay the Bond?

The bond requirement mainly applies to people who meet all the following conditions:

• They are nationals of a country covered by the program. 
• They apply for a B-1, B-2 or combined B-1/B-2 visa.
• The consular officer finds them otherwise eligible for the visa.
• They have not received a limited waiver based on a significant national or humanitarian interest.

The requirement applies according to the traveler’s nationality, not simply the country where the person submits the visa application. For example, a national of a listed country may still face the bond requirement when applying at a US embassy or consulate in another country.

Does Paying the Bond Guarantee Visa Approval?

No. Paying a US visa bond does not guarantee that the applicant will receive a visa. The consular officer first reviews the application and determines whether the applicant is otherwise eligible. If the program covers the applicant, the officer explains the bond requirement and sets the amount. The applicant must then follow the official payment instructions. The consular officer completes the visa decision after the government confirms the bond payment. However, the officer may still refuse the visa if the applicant does not meet all US visa requirements.

Which Countries Are Affected by the US Visa Bond?

As of August 4, 2026, the State Department’s published list includes 50 countries. India is not among them.

African countries: Angola, Botswana, Benin, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Burundi, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Togo, The Gambia, Guinea, Gabon,  Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Algeria, Malawi, Tanzania, Mauritania, Mozambique, Namibia, Mauritius, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Uganda, Zambia, and Tunisia.

Asian and Central Asian countries: Georgia, Bhutan, Turkmenistan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Nepal, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, and Cambodia.

Caribbean and Latin American countries: Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Venezuela, Dominica, Nicaragua, and Cuba.

Pacific countries: Tuvalu, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, and Papua New Guinea.

The State Department’s list identifies the affected nationalities and the date the bond requirement began for each country.

The permanent US Visa Bond Program is real, and some B-1/B-2 applicants may need to deposit as much as $20,000. Indian tourists and business travelers can continue to follow the normal US visitor visa application process. They must pay the regular visa fee, attend the required interview and prove their eligibility. Since the country list can change, travelers should always verify the latest official US visa rules before applying.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Is the US visa bond refundable?

Yes, it is generally refundable when the traveler follows the visa conditions and leaves the United States within the authorized period.

Is the visa bond the same as the visa application fee?

No. The regular visa fee pays for processing the application. The visa bond acts as a refundable security deposit for applicants covered by the program.

Does every covered applicant pay $20,000?

No. A consular officer may set the bond at $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 after reviewing the applicant’s circumstances.

Does the rule cover H-1B, F-1 or immigrant visas?

The permanent program described here applies to temporary visitor visas for business or tourism: B-1, B-2 and combined B-1/B-2 visas. It does not apply to every US visa category.

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