U.S. To Introduce Visa Bond Pilot Program: Travelers Need to Pay $5K–$15K Deposit

In a move poised to reshape travel norms, the U.S. Department of State has launched a 12-month pilot visa bond program on August 20, 2025, targeting select B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants. Under the initiative, some travelers may be required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on individual assessments by consular officers.

As a responsible mentor who systematically provides guidance for Green Card in America, we are trying to stay updated on all the changes in the visa landscape. Here is our systematic breakdown of this upcoming pilot program.

What is driving the new policy?

The program aims to tackle persistent visa overstay concerns. The Department of Homeland Security’s 2023 Overstay Report revealed over 500,000 suspected overstays by temporary visitors in the U.S. Moreover, the policy is directed at applicants from countries that exhibit high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficits, or those who are offering citizenship-by-investment (CBI) without residency requirements.

Who is affected and who is exempt?

Initially, only Malawi and Zambia are included in the pilot. This limited list reflects the Department’s plan to add or remove countries dynamically, with at least 15 days’ notice before implementation for any changes.

Travelers from the Visa Waiver Program’s 42 countries are allowed entry without a visa. They are also exempt from the bond requirement.

How it will operate

• Bond amounts & determination: At the visa interview, consular officers will decide the bond amount ($5K, $10K, or $15K) based on factors like the applicant’s economic ties, purpose of visit, employment, and educational background. $10K will generally be the default amount, unless circumstances warrant a lower or higher bond.
• Payment process: Applicants required to post a bond must complete Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov portal, upon direction from the consular officer. Using any third-party site may result in lost funds. Hence, take care to pay through the authentic and government-approved ways.
• Visa validity & entry conditions: Visas under this program will be single-entry and valid for three months from issuance. The visa holders must enter and depart through specific airports that are authorized for reliable exit tracking. These are currently Boston Logan (BOS), JFK, or Washington Dulles (IAD). Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may further limit admission to 30 days.

Bond refunds & forfeitures

Passengers who fully comply with visa conditions will have their bond fully refunded. Refunds are expected to be processed automatically.

However, if a traveler overstays, violates visa terms, or does not depart properly, the bond will be forfeited.

Applicants needing to manually cancel their bond (e.g., if ADIS didn’t register their departure) can request an appointment at a U.S. consular office abroad within 30 days of departure. A consular officer will verify identity and departure details before approving cancellation.

Broader context

This is not the first attempt at implementing a visa bond strategy. A similar pilot under the first Trump administration in 2020 was abruptly hindered by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, later in 2025, the U.S. also plans to introduce a $250 non-refundable “visa integrity” fee for all non-immigrant applicants.

Stay tuned to our blog sections to learn more about the changing visa landscape. We are always running against time to bring the latest updates to you