The United States Department of State has updated its official guidelines regarding the B1/B2 visitor US visa bond requirement. Under this program, eligible citizens from 50 designated countries must post a financial bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before receiving their visitor visa.
The exact bond amount is decided by a consular officer during the official visa interview. The requirement applies to nationals from countries with high B1/B2 visa overstay rates, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Full List of 50 Designated Countries
Below is the complete list of all 50 countries subject to the U.S. visa bond requirement, along with their official implementation dates:
- Africa (31 countries): Algeria (Jan 2026), Angola (Jan 2026), Benin (Jan 2026), Botswana (Jan 2026), Burundi (Jan 2026), Cabo Verde (Jan 2026), Central African Republic (Jan 2026), Côte d’Ivoire (Jan 2026), Djibouti (Jan 2026), Ethiopia (Apr 2026), Gabon (Jan 2026), The Gambia (Oct 2025), Guinea (Jan 2026), Guinea-Bissau (Jan 2026), Lesotho (Apr 2026), Malawi (Aug 2025), Mauritania (Oct 2025), Mauritius (Apr 2026), Mozambique (Apr 2026), Namibia (Jan 2026), Nigeria (Jan 2026), São Tomé and Príncipe (Oct 2025), Senegal (Jan 2026), Seychelles (Apr 2026), Tanzania (Oct 2025), Togo (Jan 2026), Tunisia (Apr 2026), Uganda (Jan 2026), Zambia (Aug 2025), Zimbabwe (Jan 2026).
- Americas & Caribbean (7 countries): Antigua and Barbuda (Jan 2026), Cuba (Jan 2026), Dominica (Jan 2026), Grenada (Apr 2026), Nicaragua (Apr 2026), Venezuela (Jan 2026).
- Asia & Middle East (7 countries): Bangladesh (Jan 2026), Bhutan (Jan 2026), Cambodia (Apr 2026), Kyrgyz Republic (Jan 2026), Mongolia (Apr 2026), Nepal (Jan 2026), Tajikistan (Jan 2026), Turkmenistan (Jan 2026).
- Oceania (4 countries): Fiji (Jan 2026), Papua New Guinea (Apr 2026), Tonga (Jan 2026), Tuvalu (Jan 2026), Vanuatu (Jan 2026).
- Europe (1 country): Georgia (Apr 2026).
How to Pay the Visa Bond Correctly
The U.S. government emphasizes that applicants must follow strict rules when paying the bond:
- Official Instruction Only: Applicants must submit DHS Form I-352 and post a bond only after a consular officer explicitly directs them to do so. Paying uninstructed fees will result in a total loss of money with no refund.
- Payment Platform: All payments must be made in U.S. dollars through the official U.S. Treasury platform (Pay.gov). Applicants must never use third-party websites.
- Third-Party Payers: The bond can be paid by the applicant or a third party (such as a relative or employer). However, the name listed on Form I-352 must match the name of the payer. The original payer (obligor) will receive the refund once all terms are met.
Posting a visa bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
Strict Entry and Travel Restrictions
Visa holders who post a bond must follow mandatory travel conditions. Effective immediately, bond-backed visa holders must enter and exit the U.S. exclusively through commercial air ports of entry (including preclearance locations).
Travelers are strictly prohibited from entering or leaving the U.S. via charter flights, general aviation, land borders, or sea ports. Failing to use approved commercial airports may cause entry denial or improper departure recording.
Bond Cancellation vs. Bond Breach
The DHS will automatically cancel the bond and refund the full deposit if:
- The traveler departs the U.S. on or before their authorized stay expires.
- The traveler does not travel before the visa expires.
- The traveler is denied entry by border officers at a U.S. airport.
Conversely, the bond will be declared breached (and the money forfeited) if the traveler overstays their visa, fails to leave the country, or attempts to adjust their status (including filing an application for asylum).
FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa Bond Waivers
To support hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026, the U.S. administration has created specific bond exemptions:
- Athletes and Teams: The visa bond requirement is waived for qualified athletes, coaches, support staff, and immediate family members from competing nations.
- Ticket Holders: The bond is also waived for eligible nationals of competing countries who purchased official World Cup tickets by April 15 and registered through the FIFA Priority Appointment Scheduling System (PASS).
All travelers seeking a World Cup waiver must still undergo full standard security vetting and prove full eligibility for a U.S. visitor visa.
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