Visa Bond Pilot Program Implemented for Certain B-1/B-2 Visa Applicants

Under this program, applicants from designated countries who are considered at higher risk of overstaying may be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before a visitor visa is issued. The bond is refundable if the traveler complies with visa terms and departs the United States on time.

The Visa Bond Pilot Program currently applies to nationals of The Gambia, Mali, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia. The bond requirement is determined on a case-by-case basis during consular processing and does not replace standard visa eligibility requirements. Applicants from these countries should be prepared for additional costs and processing steps and should carefully review official guidance before applying, as the list of affected countries may change with notice.

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