Travellers from certain countries applying for a US business or tourist visa may now face an additional financial requirement in the form of a visa bond. The US Department of State has now made the visa bond program a permanent rule. Under this policy, some eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants may need to provide a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before their visa is granted.

What Is the US Visa Bond Program?

The US visa bond rule applies to some B-1/B-2 applicants from countries selected by the Department of State. Even if a person qualifies for the visa, a consular officer may still ask them to pay a bond before the visa is issued. The program aims to encourage travellers to maintain their nonimmigrant status and leave the United States as required. The final rule makes the program permanent after an earlier pilot program. It allows consular officers to require a bond of up to $20,000 from covered applicants.

How Much Could You Pay for a US Visa Bond?

The visa bond can be set at:

• $10,000
• $15,000
• $20,000

A consular officer sets the bond amount after reviewing the applicant’s situation. The bond is separate from the normal US visa application fee. Paying the bond does not mean the visa will automatically be approved. The applicant must first qualify for the B-1/B-2 visa. For applicants covered by the rule, the bond is an extra step that must be completed before the visa can be issued.

Which Countries Are Covered by the Visa Bond Rule?

The State Department’s latest list includes 50 countries. The current visa bond list covers countries such as Bangladesh, Nigeria, Bhutan, Mauritius, Nepal, Ethiopia, Fiji and Venezuela. The State Department does not currently include India on the list. As a result, Indian citizens applying for a regular B-1/B-2 business or tourist visa do not need to pay this country-based visa bond at present. However, the State Department can update the list, so travellers should check the latest official guidance before applying.

Why Does the US Require Visa Bonds?

The State Department considers several factors when deciding which countries are subject to the visa bond program. These can include visa overstay rates, screening and vetting concerns, identity verification, information sharing, criminal records, and the security of travel and civil documents. The earlier pilot program covered countries identified based on factors including visa overstay rates, screening and vetting, identity verification, and information-sharing concerns. The goal is to encourage travellers to follow the terms of their visas and leave the United States within the authorized period.

Is the Visa Bond Refundable?

Yes. The US visa bond may be returned when the applicable conditions for cancellation are met. In general, the traveller must comply with the terms of the bond, including departing the United States within the authorized period and through a designated commercial air port of entry or CBP preclearance location. The bond is meant to encourage compliance, not act as an additional visa fee. Travellers should keep all documents related to the bond, payment and visa for their records. 

When Can a Traveller Lose a Bond?

A traveller may forfeit the bond if they breach its conditions. One of the specified circumstances for a bond breach is remaining in the United States after the date the traveller is authorized to stay. Travellers should remember that the visa expiration date and the permitted length of stay in the United States are different concepts. US border authorities decide how long a traveller may remain when the person enters the country. Following the permitted period of stay is therefore important for anyone travelling under a visa bond, along with complying with the other bond conditions. 

Does Paying a Visa Bond Guarantee Approval?

No. Posting a $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 bond does not guarantee that someone will receive a US visa. A consular officer must first determine that the applicant qualifies for the B-1/B-2 visa. The visa bond is an extra condition for some B-1/B-2 applicants from countries covered by the rule. It does not replace the normal visa interview, background checks or other eligibility requirements.

What Does the Rule Mean for Indian Travellers?

For Indian travellers, the rule has little immediate impact. As of October 2, 2026, the State Department does not include India on its current visa bond list. Indian nationals applying for a B-1/B-2 visa therefore do not currently need to post this country-based visa bond. Still, travellers should not assume that the list will always remain the same.

The list can change over time, so applicants should check the latest country-specific rules before applying. Anyone planning US travel should check the latest official rules before applying for a visa or making non-refundable travel arrangements.

What Should Travellers Do Before Applying?

Travellers can make the visa process easier by checking the latest requirements before starting their application. First, confirm whether your nationality appears on the current US visa bond country list. Do not send money or pay anyone before your visa interview. Only post the bond if a consular officer instructs you to pay it through the official U.S. government payment system. If a consular officer requires a bond, follow only the official instructions provided by the consular officer and use the official Pay.gov payment process. 

Applicants should also keep copies of their visa documents, bond records and payment confirmations. Most importantly, travellers should know how long U.S. authorities permit them to stay and make sure they leave before that period ends.

The permanent US visa bond rule creates an extra step for certain B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants from selected countries. Depending on the case, covered applicants may need to post a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance. At present, the program covers nationals of 50 countries, but it does not include Indian applicants.

For travellers, the most important step is to check the latest US visa rules before applying. Applicants should never pay a visa bond in advance unless a US consular officer specifically requires it and provides official instructions.

Travellers planning international flights can also explore Indian Eagle deals to compare fares and find suitable travel options.

The post US Visa Bond Program 2026: What B-1/B-2 Travelers Need to Know appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

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.

Planning a trip between the USA and India? Explore Indian Eagle deals to find competitive fares for a more budget-friendly journey.

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.

The post Do Indians Need to Pay a $20,000 Bond for a US Tourist Visa? New Rule Explained appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.