US makes visa bond program permanent for travelers from 50 countries, with deposits up to US$20,000 starting August 3
The US State Department is making its visa bond program permanent starting August 3, 2026, requiring B-1 and B-2 tourist and business visa applicants from 50 countries to post refundable deposits of up to US$20,000 before entering the United States; consular officers will set amounts based on the applicant's finances and ties to the US
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Summary
The US State Department is making its visa bond program permanent starting August 3, 2026, requiring tourist and business visa (B-1 and B-2) applicants from 50 countries to post refundable deposits of up to US$20,000 before being admitted. Consular officers set the amount per applicant based on their financial circumstances and ties to the US, with the bond refunded if the visitor departs by their visa expiry date. The program targets countries with higher visa overstay rates and applies to travelers who cannot enter under the US visa-waiver program. The 50 affected countries were not fully listed in most reports.
The split
US immigration-specialist and mainstream outlets focused on the mechanics and permanent status of the program. Eastern European outlet Logos Press covered it from the angle of non-visa-waiver-program countries, noting the US$20,000 cap as a significant financial barrier. Al Arabiya flagged it for Gulf and Middle Eastern readership, where many countries are on the affected list.
By the numbers
- Up to US$20,000, maximum visa bond per applicant.
- 50 countries affected by the permanent program.
- August 3, 2026, effective date for the permanent program.
- B-1 and B-2 categories, the tourist and business visitor visa types that the program covers.
Why it matters
The visa bond requirement makes travel to the US significantly more expensive for citizens of 50 countries who cannot use the visa-waiver program. A US$20,000 deposit requirement effectively bars many lower-income applicants regardless of their legitimate travel purpose, and the case-by-case consular discretion in setting amounts adds unpredictability for would-be visitors.
What to watch
- Publication of the full list of 50 affected countries.
- Legal challenges to the permanent program on due-process or discrimination grounds.
- Whether the bond requirement reduces visa applications or overstay rates from targeted countries.