The U.S. State Department announced on March 18, 2026, that it is adding 12 more countries to the list of nations subject to the B-1/B-2 Visa Bond Pilot Program.
Effective April 2, 2026, citizens of these 12 countries may be required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition for receiving a short-term visitor visa:
- Cambodia
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Lesotho
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Nicaragua
- Papua New Guinea
- Seychelles
- Tunisia
Program Details & Requirements
With these additions, a total of 50 countries are now part of the pilot program. The primary goal of the measure is to reduce visa overstay rates by providing a financial incentive for travelers to return home on time.
Bond Amount: The specific amount ($5k, $10k, or $15k) is determined at the discretion of the consular officer during the visa interview.
Refund Policy: The bond is fully refunded if the traveler adheres to all visa terms and departs the U.S. before their authorized stay expires. It is also refunded if the visa is denied or if the traveler chooses not to travel.
Entry/Exit Restrictions: Travelers subject to a bond must enter and depart through commercial airports only. Land and sea ports, as well as charter flights, are not permitted for these visa holders.
Pilot Duration: The current pilot program is scheduled to run through August 5, 2026.
This expansion follows previous updates earlier in 2024 and 2025 as part of broader efforts to tighten immigration controls while maintaining legal pathways for business and tourism.
