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

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) establishing a 12-month visa bond pilot program, which applies to B1/B2 visa applicants from select countries with high overstay rates, deficient vetting data, or citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs. This pilot program requires visa applicants to post a Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the Consular Officer’s discretion, before visa issuance.

This new bond program has yet to fully take shape. Below is what is known so far:

• Consular officers exercise discretion to require the bond.
• Bonds must be posted via Pay.Gov and will be held by the Department of the Treasury as an escrow-style account under DHS direction.
• The pilot program begins 15 days after publication and lasts until August 5, 2026.
• Those subject to the bond will be issued an annotated, single-entry visa with a 3-month validity period, to be admitted by CBP for a maximum period of 30 days only.
• Starting August 20, 2025, nationals of Malawi and Zambia will be subject to visa bonds. Additional countries will likely be added to the list, each with a 15-day notice.
• Bond amounts are $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000.
• The $10,000 amount is the “standard,”
• The $5,000 amount is for applicants unable to pay the full $10,000 amount, and
• The $15,000 amount is for applicants who would not be deterred by the $10,000 amount because of the “nature and extent of [their] contacts” in the US.
• Those subject to the bond must enter/depart the US through designated POEs: Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, or Washington Dulles International Airport.
• The specific terms of individual visa bonds will be stated on ICE Form I-352. A Visa Bond will be canceled (returned to the applicant) if the applicant:
• Has not worked without authorization AND departs before the I-94 expires;
• Timely files an extension/change of status, complies with the new status, AND departs before the I-94 expires;
• Does not travel to the US;
• Is denied of the visa after the bond is posted; or
• Is denied entry by CBP.

• The bond will be forfeited if the applicant:
• Violates their status;
• Files an unexcused, untimely change/extension of status;
• Remains in the US beyond their I-94; or
• Timely files a change/extension of status, which is then denied, and fails to depart within 10 days after the denial.

This program is almost certain to increase workloads for consular staff and lengthen wait times for visa applicants in the affected countries. Decreasing visa validity while adding processing steps and instilling a financial hurdle for visa applicants will undoubtedly dissuade many B visa applicants.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your ILG attorney or reach our firm at .