US Introduces Visa Bonds of Up to $20,000 for Tourists From 50 Countries
Since August 3, 2026, nationals of 50 countries have been subject to a permanent bond program when applying for tourist and business visas to the United States. The amount ranges from $10,000 to $20,000 depending on the consular officer’s decision, according to the US Department of State.
How the US Visa Bond Program Works
The pilot visa bond program was launched in August 2025 and was initially scheduled to run for 12 months. Following the trial, the Department of State decided to make the mechanism permanent. The new rules took effect on August 3, 2026.
The requirement applies to nationals of countries with high rates of overstaying authorized periods in the United States. When compiling the list, US authorities also consider the quality of information sharing, the ability to verify identities and criminal records, the reliability of documents, and traveler screening systems.
Visa bonds are set at $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000. A consular officer determines the amount based on the applicant’s circumstances. Factors include the purpose of travel, income, employment, education, qualifications and ties to the United States. The maximum amount may be imposed when a lower bond is considered insufficient to ensure timely departure.
The money is returned once the traveler complies with the terms of the trip, with no interest paid on the amount. If a visitor remains in the country beyond the authorized period or commits another serious violation, the entire bond may be forfeited. Participants must enter and leave the United States through commercial airports, as land and sea ports of entry are not covered by the scheme.
The program currently covers 50 countries. A significant share are in Africa, including Algeria and Nigeria. Other countries on the list include Bangladesh, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Mongolia, Nepal, Fiji and Tonga. Russia is not included.
The list may change. The Department of State must announce the addition of a country at least 15 days in advance, while removal takes effect immediately. From October 2027, the maximum bond amount is expected to be adjusted for inflation and reviewed every seven years thereafter.
Why the US Introduced Visa Bonds: Overstay Violations
US authorities cite visa overstays as one of the reasons for tightening the rules. According to the Department of State, hundreds of thousands of people have failed to leave the country on time over the past decade. In fiscal year 2024 alone, 45,488 such cases were recorded among nationals of the 50 countries later covered by the pilot program.
The situation changed significantly after the new mechanism was introduced. During the first 10 months of the pilot, fewer than 50 overstay cases were recorded among nationals of these countries. At the same time, the issuance of B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas fell by 83% compared with the same period a year earlier. The Department views these figures as evidence that financial guarantees can be effective, although the periods used for comparison differ in length.
The scale of the experiment significantly exceeded initial forecasts. Authorities had expected around 2,000 applicants to be required to post a bond, but the measure ultimately affected about 20,000 applications. Bonds were posted in almost half of the cases, with the total amount reaching $115 million. Many of the remaining applicants chose not to continue the process. The Department of State acknowledges that the new requirements noticeably reduced interest in travel to the United States among nationals of countries on the original list.
US Visa Bond Program Could Be Expanded
The travel industry is concerned that the requirements could eventually apply to a much larger number of foreign visitors. U.S. Travel Association President Geoff Freeman told Reuters that officials were considering adding more countries and, potentially, extending the system to all applicants from countries whose citizens need a visa to enter the United States. He warned that such a move could hurt tourism and the broader economy. The Department of State did not respond to Reuters’ questions about possible expansion plans.
The 50 countries currently covered by the program account for less than 2% of international arrivals to the United States. Foreign visitor numbers are already declining: arrivals fell by 4.3% in January–June and by 1.8% in June, during the FIFA World Cup. The travel industry had expected the authorities to focus on attracting more international visitors after the tournament rather than tightening entry requirements.
In September, representatives of countries already affected by the requirements joined the debate. US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau told 1News on the sidelines of the Pacific Islands Forum that high visa bonds had been raised during several bilateral meetings. He stressed that the measure was not specifically aimed at the Pacific region and was part of a broader US policy designed to reduce overstays.
No official decision has been announced to extend the requirement to all foreign tourists. The Department of State continues to list 50 countries, although current rules allow additional states to be added. The potential scale and timing of any expansion remain unclear.
Conclusion
Analysts at International Investment note that immigration remains one of the toughest areas of policy under the Donald Trump administration. The authorities have restricted refugee admissions and access to asylum, accelerated deportations, expanded removals of foreign nationals to third countries and tightened border controls.
This approach is increasingly affecting temporary visitors as well. Stricter conditions are being introduced for students, exchange program participants, business travelers and tourists. Visa bonds show that even short-term trips are increasingly being assessed in terms of the potential risk of unlawful residence.
This creates a contradiction for the tourism industry. The United States is interested in attracting more international visitors, yet new barriers make travel more expensive and complicated. If restrictions continue to expand, the immigration agenda is likely to have an increasing impact on the country’s appeal to foreign travelers.