U.S. Expands $15,000 Visa Bond Rule to 50 Countries: Full List and New Rules for 2026
The U.S. government has expanded its Visa Bond Program, now covering 50 countries as part of a push to reduce visa overstays.
Starting April 2, 2026, some travelers applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas may be asked to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000 before their visa is approved. The amount depends on the consular officer's assessment of how likely the traveler is to follow visa rules and leave the U.S. on time.
Key Takeaways
- New (March 2026): The U.S. added 12 new countries, bringing the total in the pilot to 50.
- Effective April 2, 2026: Nationals from the new list must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 only after being directed by a consular officer.
- Strict Exit Rule: To qualify for a refund, travelers must enter and exit through designated commercial airports.
- Refund Policy: The bond is supposed to be fully refundable if all rules are followed—violations result in total forfeiture of the funds.
What is a U.S. Visa Bond?
A U.S. Visa Bond (formally known as a Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond) is a financial guarantee required by the U.S. government to ensure visitors do not overstay their visas.
The Visa Bond Pilot Program was originally rolled out on August 20, 2025, and has been expanded multiple times by the Trump administration to target countries with visa overstay rates exceeding 10%.
Unlike a visa application fee, a visa bond is refundable. It serves as a security deposit held by the government until the traveler proves they have departed the United States within their authorized period of stay.
Which New Countries Are on the Visa Bond List?
The latest expansion, announced on March 18, 2026, adds 12 nations. If you hold a passport from one of these countries, you are now subject to the bond requirement:
- Newly Added (Effective April 2, 2026): Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
- Existing Major Countries: Nigeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Venezuela, and Nepal.
How Does the $5,000–$15,000 Bond Work?
The bond amount is determined at the time of the visa interview. Once approved "subject to bond," applicants must submit DHS Form I-352 and agree to the terms via the official Pay.gov platform.
Bond Level | Common Reasons for This Amount |
|---|---|
$5,000 | Strong ties home, stable employment, clear travel history. |
$10,000 | Moderate ties or first-time traveler to the U.S. |
$15,000 | “High-risk profile” or country with overstay rates >20%. |
What Are the New "Designated Port" Exit Rules?
Under 2026 guidelines, you must enter or leave via authorized international airports to ensure your departure is electronically verified by CBP.
Authorized Airports Include:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Warning: Use of land borders (Mexico/Canada), sea ports, or private charters will result in bond forfeiture because these exits are not currently equipped to verify "bonded" departures.
How Do I Get My Visa Bond Refund?
According to the State Department, the program has a 97% compliance rate. The refund is supposed to be automated if rules are followed:
- Verification: CBP records your exit at a designated airport.
- Processing: Refunds take 6 to 8 weeks to return to your original payment method.
- Forfeiture: You lose the full amount if you overstay even by one day, work illegally, or attempt to change your status (e.g., apply for a Green Card).
Full List of 50 Visa Bond Countries (As of April 2026)
The U.S. visa bond program currently applies to the following countries:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cambodia (new in April 2026)
- Central African Republic
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Ethiopia (new in April 2026)
- Fiji
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Georgia (new in April 2026)
- Grenada (new in April 2026)
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kyrgyzstan
- Lesotho (new in April 2026)
- Malawi
- Mauritania
- Mauritius (new in April 2026)
- Mongolia (new in April 2026)
- Mozambique (new in April 2026)
- Namibia
- Nepal
- Nicaragua (new in April 2026)
- Nigeria
- Papua New Guinea (new in April 2026)
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Senegal
- Seychelles (new in April 2026)
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tunisia (new in April 2026)
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Do Travelers Need to Know?
To protect your $15,000 deposit, ensure you follow these steps:
- Wait for the Interview: Only pay after a consular officer confirms the bond and provides a direct Pay.gov link.
- Monitor the "30-Day" Rule: Many bonded visas are limited to 30 days. Check your I-94 record immediately upon arrival.
- Fly from Authorized Hubs: Do not use land crossings if you want your money back.
Is the Visa Bond Rule Permanent?
The current visa bond program is not a permanent rule. It is based on a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) issued by the U.S. State Department.
This means the program is being run as a time-limited pilot, allowing the government to test how effective visa bonds are at reducing overstays before making any long-term decisions.
While the rule is fully enforceable now, its future is still uncertain. The government may choose to:
- Extend the program
- Expand it to more countries or visa types
- Or make it a permanent part of U.S. immigration policy
For now, travelers should treat the visa bond requirement as active and strictly enforced, even though it is still technically temporary.
Ellis will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as additional guidance becomes available.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
