The United States has decided to permanently implement its visa bond program as part of tighter immigration measures, under which certain applicants from 50 countries may be required to post a security bond of up to $20,000 to obtain a visa.
According to international media reports, the policy will apply to B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas. Under the new rules, US authorities will be able to require eligible applicants to submit a refundable security bond as a condition for visa issuance.
The US Department of State said data from the 2025 pilot program showed that the visa bond system was an effective tool for improving compliance with US visa regulations.
According to the report, the earlier pilot program offered bond amounts of $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000. Under the revised policy, the $5,000 option has been eliminated, while the maximum bond amount has been increased to $20,000.
The new regulation will take effect following its official publication in the Federal Register on August 3. Of the 50 countries included in the program, nearly 30 are in Africa.
US officials said the policy is intended to reduce the number of visitors who remain in the country illegally after their visa expires.
The move comes as the United States continues to tighten its immigration policies, introducing additional requirements in recent years, including higher fees for certain visa categories and enhanced social media screening of applicants.
